The Cold Hands Of Flotim Regent Anton Hadjon Smooths Clean Water Program In Lamahelan: 19 Years 'Failed,' Was Evicted When...

LARANTUKA - The longing of the community in Lamahelan Village, Ile Boleng District, East Flores Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), was over when clean water spouts emerged from a long pipe that would flow into several village holding tanks.

Not a year or two years that longing appears. The villagers have been waiting for about 19 years, eight months for clean water to flow smoothly. Bitter stories such as washing your face or taking a bath using water sources from banana stems to millions of rupiah to buy water have now disappeared.

The hard and thorough work to smooth water into the village for the people of Lamahelan cannot be separated from the cold hands of the Regent of East Flores (Flotim), Antonius Hubertus Gege Hadjon. Approaches with village elders, tribal chiefs and the community are intensely carried out so that the clean water project can be realized.

"Water is a serious business. The Deputy Regent and I were expelled when coordinating or establishing communication with related parties. Because when we talk about water, we talk about lewo (Kampung). We talk about smart people, we talk about health. When it comes to health, water is one of them," said Regent Anton when met by VOI, Friday, May 13.

This concern about water apparently did not appear suddenly when he was the Regent of Flotim. While sitting at the head of the Flotim DPRD, the PDI-P politician, was vocal about the clean water distribution project into the villages in Ile Boleng. Unfortunately, from Musrenbang to Musrenbang which was held, this plan never materialized.

"So that when he became regent, this determination through mission number two to save the infrastructure of East Flores by answering basic needs, roads, water and electricity in addition to education and health infrastructure must be answered," explained Anton.

The traditional water reception ceremony was held on Thursday, May 5 last week. Apart from Regent Anton, the Deputy Regent of East Flores, Agustinus Payong Boli, traditional leaders and thousands of people in Helan Langowuyo and Hokohorowura villages were also present. The source of the water that flows to Lamahelan Village comes from Helan Langowuyo Village, Ile Boleng District.

The water work project in Ile Boleng apparently had been carried out several times in the previous government period but ended in failure. In fact, continued Regent Anton, once the pipes installed by the developer were dismantled due to legal problems.

In addition, the use of springs from other villages for Lamahelan Village always encounters obstacles or is rejected. Regent Anton also took the initiative to meet tribal chiefs, provide understanding and negotiate so that their springs can be used.

"So I used a traditional approach, including having to answer their needs (village residents), because they are brothers. For example, I made easier road access to springs or other assistance,"

"Sometimes on the way, because a certain party's game, what was planned, suddenly gets rejected, so there are various challenges," said Anton.

The Regent of East Flores (Flotim), Antonius Hubertus Gege Hadjon said that the entry of water into Lamahelan Village is the starting point so that all villages in Ile Boleng can get access to clean water. Within this year, the Regional Drinking Water Company (PDAM) will provide assistance to residents for management and maintenance.

If it is possible PDAM will take full control of the water management. Regent Anton continued, further efforts will be made to inject water into villages.

"Later, we will inject the water source again. For example, water from Waiwerang can. But we will give it to the PDAM who manages it so that next year it can enter other villages," said Anton.

Now, while waiting for the spring as a source of supply to the villages, the Flotim Regency Government for the past 5 years has realized a drilled well project originating from the Provision of Community-Based Drinking Water and Sanitation (Pamsimas).

Pamsimas is a program from the center which Anton admits is very useful. Towards the end of his tenure, Regent Anton admitted that he had brought Pamsimas to life through drilling wells in 139 villages.

"Perhaps all villages in Ile Boleng have received Pamsimas. In the past five years I have seen that this program is good, this is a central program where it can enter the district. We have served 139 villages that have served the problem of water needs using the Pamsimas pattern with drilled wells," he said. Anton.