Semarang Mayor Mbak Ita Concerned Many Waterway Covers Stolen

Semarang Mayor Hevearita Gunaryanti Rahayu when checking the condition of the water channel cover on Jalan Pemuda, Semarang, Tuesday (2/1/2024). (ANTARA/Zuhdiar Laiis)

SemarANG - Semarang Mayor Hevearita Gunaryanti Rahayu is concerned about the loss of many waterway covers made of iron in several locations suspected of being stolen by unknown persons.

"We regret the theft of the inlet. Because the 'inlet' covers (waterways) are very necessary," said Ita, Hevearita's nickname, as reported by ANTARA, Wednesday, January 3.

While conducting a flood management review some time ago, Mbak Ita found that many waterway covers on Jalan Madukoro Semarang were missing, and also in several other locations.

According to him, the loss of a water channel cover is very dangerous for road users because it can fall and cause accidents, while garbage can't be filtered either.

"If taken, it can cause accidents to the community. Furthermore, if the 'inlet' is lost, automatically there will be a lot of leaves, garbage, and plastic entering the channel," he said.

As a result, garbage clogs waterways and can cause flooding, including it can damage water pumps in pump houses.

Therefore, he asked the public to have awareness and sense of belonging, and love the city by taking good care of all existing facilities and infrastructure.

Ita also plans to map for additional surveillance cameras (CCTV) in several locations to anticipate similar theft.

"I ask for an additional'mapping' of CCTV. In fact, if it can be installed on the lamppole. Like on Jalan Madukoro so that it can monitor and supervise," he said.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Semarang City Public Works Agency (DPU), Suwarto, said that the alleged theft of iron-made waterway covers occurred in several areas.

To anticipate the theft of waterway covers, the Semarang City DPU has replaced several channel covers that were previously made of iron with concrete or cor material.

"Meanwhile, we replaced the 'inlet' with concrete. Then we tested the concrete 'inlet'. We ordered from the manufacturer or hit it ourselves with a minimum (quality, red) K300 so that when the car stepped on it, it did not break," he said.

Replacement of the water channel cover using concrete has been implemented in several locations such as Gajahmungkur and Kampung Kali, although not all of them.

"We are trying to minimize the loss action again. We ask public awareness to feel they have it. In fact, on Jalan Depok we are trying to lock it. Hopefully there will be no more loss," he said.