Jokowi Won't Build New Homes For Residents Hit By NTT Floods, Residents Will Be Relocated

President Jokowi reviews the village in Lembata NTT after the flash flood (Press Bureau Setpres)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo promised the government to immediately restore flood conditions in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) by building damaged homes.

Jokowi communicated with the Governor of NTT and Lembata Regent about the plan to build houses that are no longer located in the former flash flood disaster area.

"The affected area will be relocated with the approval of the community, this location will be relocated. Soon it will be built in a timely manner," Jokowi said while reviewing the disaster site in NTT, Friday, April 9.

Jokowi and his limited group arrived in Sikka Regency around 09.38 WITA. Afterwards, Jokowi immediately moved to visit the area in Ile Ape Subdistrict by using a Super Puma TNI AU helicopter to Wonopito Airport, Lembata Regency, to then travel by land to the location.

Jokowi was also accompanied by Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, BNPB Chief Doni Monardo, Basarnas Chief Henri Alfiandi, NTT Governor Viktor Laiskodat, and Lembata Regent Eliaser Yentji Sunur.

To date, there are 163 victims who died as a result of ntt flood disaster. While 45 people are in the search.

In his review, Jokowi also received reports of the evacuation process hampered by rock material that covered the ground level of the former NTT flash flood.

"If we look at the field it is rocky. A very large rock that makes it very difficult for our machines. But I have ordered to continue to be searched and found that are still missing," said Jokowi.

Previously, BNPB Chief Doni Monardo received an average report of victims who had been and were still missing in the hydrometeorological disaster caused by the wave hit.

"The people were lost because they were hit by the waves, because their house was on the beach. This we take into account in the future. It is better not to provide home assistance on the beach that endangers the safety of the community," said Doni.