President Jokowi Inaugurates West Semarang SPAM For Clean Water Supply

ANTARA/Zuhdiar Laiis/President Joko Widodo inaugurated the West Semarang Drinking Water Supply System (SPAM) project for the provision of clean water for the people of Atlas City.

SEMARANG - President Joko Widodo inaugurated the West Semarang Drinking Water Supply System (SPAM) project to provide clean water for the people of Atlas City.

SPAM is managed using the government's cooperation system and business entities (KPBU), namely the central government, local governments, and the private sector.

"Semarang is a good example, because the KPBU system was built," said Joko Widodo during the inauguration of the West Semarang SPAM, in Semarang as reported by ANTARA, Tuesday, January 23.

Jokowi assessed that Semarang City is a good example in water maintenance, one of which is the construction of West Semarang SPAM which is an upstream to downstream program.

He said the West Semarang SPAM was built with a total budget of IDR 870 billion, consisting of a budget from the center of IDR 329 billion, the Semarang City Government IDR 124 billion and the private sector IDR 417 billion.

"What we see is that this project is healthy, because the pipeline connection is more than 60 percent. And the capacity is 1,000 liters per second. Serving 70 thousand household connections, serving 350 thousand people in West Semarang, Ngaliyan and Tugu," he said.

Jokowi explained that West Semarang SPAM is a pilot project for urban pipe construction so that he hopes that the mega project can be managed properly.

"Finally, I entrusted West Semarang SPAM to be managed properly, and function at an affordable and sustainable price," he concluded.

Meanwhile, Semarang Mayor Hevearita Gunaryanti Rahayu explained that West Semarang SPAM is a collaboration project between the central government, namely the Ministry of PUPR, the municipal government, and the private sector to meet drinking water needs in West Semarang, Ngaliyan and Tugu sub-districts.

"With this PPP system, there is a concern from the city government, for example in 2023, we have a gradual investment in capital through PDAM. Last year, we included the capital," said Ita, Hevearita's nickname.

It is hoped that the KPBU program can be realized by providing clean water for the community, and being an example of a successful KPBU pattern.

The President Director of the Regional Drinking Water Company (PDAM) Tirta Moedal Semarang City, Yudi Indardo, added that the local government bought bulk water from the private sector, then distributed it to the public in the three sub-districts.

"The distribution network to the community is still ongoing. Followed by a small pipe. Hopefully the Tugu will be fast, only Tugu will have additional access routes," he said.

With the West Semarang SPAM, said Yudi, the water taken from Kaligarang could be more focused on the central and northern parts of Semarang.