Inaugurating The Umbulan Drinking Water Support System In Pasuruan, Jokowi: The IDR 2.56 Trillion Project Must Be Maximized

President Joko Widodo (Photo: Cabinet Secretariat of the Republic of Indonesia)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) inaugurated the Umbulan Drinking Water Supply System (SPAM) in Pasuruan Regency, East Java. He advised that the project, which costs up to IDR 2.56 trillion in the budget, must be maximized so that the benefits can be felt by the surrounding community.

“This big project that costs IDR 2.56 trillion can really be used maximally, and it can be used by the community. That's what's important there”, said Jokowi when he opened the inauguration ceremony broadcast on the Presidential Secretariat YouTube channel, Monday, March 22.

He reminded all parties to sit together in managing this SPAM. "Do not let the big project be a trouble because it is unclear who is responsible for it", he said.

"To Local water company (PDAM) city/regency, PDAM at the provincial level, or the Minister of Public Works. Please finish it. I ask for a meeting be held this week and hopefully, you have resolved whose responsibility it is”, he added.

The former governor of DKI Jakarta then gave an example previously that there was a very large reservoir construction. However, the community cannot use it because there is no secondary and tertiary irrigation.

"Then how does the water get to the fields? So, (SPAM, red) is also the same. Later, I will go to the field, I see it, I will ask", he said.

"Finish as quickly as possible so that what we have built with this cooperation scheme between the government and business entities can be completed immediately and will be of real benefit to our society", added Jokowi.

Furthermore, President Jokowi mentioned that the water capacity in this SPAM has only reached 900 liters. In fact, the Umbulan SPAM in Pasuruan Regency should have a capacity of up to 4.000 liters per second and will be utilized in five regions in East Java, namely Pasuruan Regency, Gresik Regency, Sidoarjo Regency, and Surabaya City.

With this condition, Jokowi then asked that 80 percent of the unfinished work be completed in the future.

"There is still 80 percent that must be completed immediately, from the main pipe to the pipe in the household. This big job is there", he concluded.