Solok Regency Government Susun Strategy To Close Mines In Cold Water Prevent Floods

The Regent of Solok Epyardi Asda visited the mining site in Nagari (Village) Air Cold, Lembah Gumanti District, Solok Regency, West Sumatra which caused severe damage to the national road when the flood arrived (ANTARA/HO-Diskominfo Solok)

SOLOK - The Solok Regency Government, West Sumatra, has developed a strategy to close mining activities at the excavation C mine site which has an impact on damage to national road access in Nagari Air Cold, Lembah Gumanti District, Solok Regency. The Regent of Solok, Epyardi Asda, said that his party and his entourage had looked directly at the mine site and found the fact that there was a flow of water from the unorganized mining area so that it seeped into the national road. Apart from being found by mining companies, Epyardi also found a people's mine. This makes the former captain of the ship have to act for the benefit of the people. "“We both know, this road is a national road whose responsibility is central. We don't have the authority to fix it. Even so, I have to prioritize the community. In accordance with the recommendations of the relevant ministries, we are asking for this mine to be temporarily closed until we invite all parties to sit down together,” he said in Solok, Antara, Monday, April 29. He revealed that caution was needed in solving the problem. Epyardi revealed that in the term of taking hair in flour, the hair did not break but the flour was not scattered. He also said that in the near future the Solok Regency Government will invite business actors (miners) and residents, provincial offices, including governors, then street halls representing the PUPR ministry. There is a solution if we sit down together. We will write all of them with a copy to the relevant ministers. "So that business actors, especially our people who seek life or food, are not disturbed. I know that my citizens who mine the people are only working for life, not looking for wealth. We are also obliged to protect our citizens who are looking for food. And of course the national road is also not damaged,” he said. In addition, Epyardi apologized to the people whose roads were disrupted. Even though he or the Solok Regency government do not have the authority to repair national roads. He hopes that the road problem in the nagari that is in the district he leads can be resolved. He explained that related to the environmental recommendation permit issued by the Solok Regency government to one of the mining companies, it turned out that the recommendation permit was issued in 2019 or during the previous administration. However, after 2019 in accordance with statutory regulations, the mining licensing authority has all been transferred to the province and related (central) ministries. "After we checked, it was true that there were companies whose environmental recommendations were issued in 2019 and that was not my time. I can confirm that at this time I am in office, I will allow none," he said. However, said Epyardi, the other two companies did not have a recommendation from the Solok Regency government, but they had immediately issued their permits from the West Sumatra Provincial Government. "There are no more two companies from us, but suddenly there is already a permit issued by the West Sumatra Provincial Government. So we checked whether all implementation was in accordance with the rules," said Epyardi. He conveyed that the rules for districts and cities are only recommendations but the decisions are in the provinces. In addition, the West Sumatra National Road Implementation Center (BPJN) through Nofvandro said that his party is currently still focusing on improving the national road so that it does not become disconnected. Even if there is a landslide, it will still be handled. However, for further handling, he is waiting for the direction of his leadership.

"What is clear is that in accordance with the letter of the Director General, we will make improvements after the restructuring for existing mines. After this is done we will carry out the repair process, ” he said.