Bobby Nasution Ensures Normalization Of Medan Deli River This Year, The Budget Is From The Ministry Of PUPR

A number of rescue workers evacuated residents using rubber boats due to flooding in Medan, Monday (28/2/2022). (ANTARA/HO-Diskominfo Medan City)

MEDAN - Medan Mayor Bobby Nasution said the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) allocated APBN funds for the Deli River normalization program this year.

"We are still waiting for the normalization from the PUPR Ministry. This year, as far as I know, the PUPR Ministry has budgeted for it," he said in Medan, quoted by Antara, Thursday, May 31.

In addition, the Medan City Government is currently encouraging the involvement of the local community to clean the area along the watershed in Medan City from garbage.

Bobby Nasution claimed to have asked for permission from the Sumatra II River Basin Center (BWS) to carry out mutual cooperation every weekend with the aim of cleaning the river from garbage.

Data from the Medan City Government states that there are 12 rivers that surround the city of Medan and the majority experience silting and dirty conditions due to being filled with garbage.

"What we are promoting today is community involvement to clean up river areas, tributaries, and ditches which we routinely do every week," said Bobby.

The chairman of Commission IV of the Medan City DPRD, Haris Kelana Damanik, previously asked for the normalization of the Deli River to minimize shipping flooding due to overflowing rivers, especially in the North Medan area.

"This is already the second quarter, residents are waiting for the promise of BWS Sumatra II facilitated by the Mayor of Medan to dig the Deli River," he said.

Based on data from the Medan City BPBD, Monday (28/2), 56 sub-districts were affected by the flood with a total of 4,306 families being evacuated to the village head office, schools, and houses of worship in the area.