Kemkomdigi Builds Information Center And Restores Networks In The Mount Lewotobi Area

Photo: Doc. Antara

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs (Kemkomdigi) will soon establish an information center and media, also trying to accelerate the recovery of internet and other telecommunications access in the Mount Lewotobi Laki eruption disaster area in East Flores, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).

"This step is taken to ensure that the public obtains accurate information ranging from handling the refugees to accelerating post-disaster recovery," said Director General of Information and Public Communication (Dirjen IKP) of the Ministry of Communication and Industry Prabunindya Revta Revolution while chairing a coordination meeting with stakeholders in Larantuka, Sunday 17 November.

The coordination meeting was held after reviewing the posts and evacuation locations affected by the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki, as stated in a press statement received in Jakarta, Sunday.

"According to the direction of the Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs (Menkomdigi), Meutya Hafid, so that as much as possible we take the necessary actions according to the duties and functions of the Ministry of Communication and Industry, including assistance for all victims affected by the disaster," Prabu said, as reported by Antara.

Based on the results of a live review in the field, Prabu explained that in addition to establishing information and media centers, recovery of communication and telecommunications access is also urgent to be carried out. Strengthening signals, internet and data access, to adding bandwidth (width), Prabu said, is very necessary in a disaster crisis condition.

"So, in addition to public communication, telecommunications infrastructure is also a priority for the Ministry of Communication and Digo. In critical conditions like this, fast and accurate exchange of information is very necessary, do not let it be hampered," said Prabu.

The Ministry of Communication and Industry has coordinated with various parties such as BAKTI Kemkomdigi, the Directorate General of Post and Information Administration (Ditjen PPI), cellular operators, to the Communication and Information Office of East Flores Regency, to immediately take steps to accelerate the recovery of access to communication and telecommunications.

"Internet access is very much needed, because not only for access to information but also for socialization, education and entertainment can be given to victims, especially children," Prabu continued.

Meanwhile, the Head of the East Flores Communications and Information Office, Heronimus Lamawuran, said that as of Sunday, November 17, there were 12,987 refugees in six field posts. Each post has communication challenges due to limited network capacity.

As a result of the eruption, several telecommunications facilities were seriously affected, including BAKTI's Base Transceiver Station (BTS) and towers, which caused the quality of the network to go up and down. Of the total 13 BTS towers available, only four towers are operating optimally while others are unstable due to the also unstable electricity supply," said Heronimus.

Head of the E-Goverment Implementation Division of the Communication and Information Office of East Flores Regency, Petrus Robby Tulus, added that the condition of evacuation with mass buildup also adds to the burden on the network and causes the traffic to be full. This condition makes communication services inadequate.

Therefore, the Communication and Information Office of East Flores Regency hopes that cellular operators operating on site will immediately strengthen the network, especially in two main villages, Konga and Bolumatang villages. Of the 32 units of BAKTI internet access devices, one was damaged and 31 others were disrupted and had to be turned off.

Robby also said eight internet access devices had been given to six posts, however, the capacity needed to be increased.

Lewotobi Laki Volcano, located in Wulanggitang District, East Flores, East Nusa Tenggara, erupted on Sunday, November 3 at 23.56 WIT.

Until now, aftershocks still occur with fluctuating amounts. As a result of the eruption, 12,987 people have been displaced and are now concentrated in six field posts. The national road connecting Larantuka, Lewotobi and Maumere at a radius of 7 kilometers from the top of Lewotobi Laki is also closed and cannot be passed.