PUPR Minister Basuki Hadimuljono: When Building Infrastructure, Avoid Cutting Trees If Not Necessary

Minister of PUPR Basuki Hadimuljono. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Basuki Hadimuljono asked his staff to continue to care for the environment in every infrastructure development project, such as not cutting down trees if they are not needed.

This was conveyed by Basuki while reviewing the construction of the Meninting Dam in West Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), Tuesday, June 28.

"The construction of the Meninting Dam should not damage the surrounding environment. Avoid cutting down trees if they don't need to be cut down so that the hills are not damaged. For this reason, the construction method must be prepared carefully and carefully," he said in a written statement, quoted by Antara.

He asked that the construction of the Meninting Dam at a cost of Rp. 1.4 trillion be carried out in an orderly and appropriate manner while maintaining the condition of the surrounding environment.

In addition, Minister Basuki also advised that the supervision of construction work be further enhanced so that the Meninting Dam can be completed with the best quality.

"The role of the supervisory consultant is very important because it acts as the owner's representative and determines the quality of the work," he said.

Meninting Dam is a dam that is included in the construction of the National Strategic Project (PSN) in order to support food and water security, especially in Eastern Indonesia.

The construction of this dam has been carried out since 2019 at a cost of IDR 1.41 trillion. Acting as the main contractor for PT Hutama Karya and PT Nindya Karya, as well as a supervisory consultant for PT Indra Karya. The overall progress of the Meninting Dam construction is currently at 30.49 percent with a target for completion in 2023.

The presence of the Meninting Dam, which has a capacity of 12 million cubic meters, has the potential to provide benefits for irrigating an irrigation area of 1,559.3 hectares, meeting the raw water needs of the North West Lombok Regency of 0.15 cubic meters per second, especially in the Senggigi area, providing electrical energy of up to 0.15 cubic meters per second. 0.8 MW, flood reduction of 36 cubic meters per second, and as a new tourist destination that can improve the economy of the surrounding community.

Also attending the working visit were the Directorate General of Water Resources Jarot Widyoko, Director General of Highways Hedy Rahadian, Expert Staff to the Minister of PUPR for Technology, Industry and Environment Endra S. Atmawidjaja, Director of Dams and Lakes, Directorate General of Natural Resources Airlangga Mardjono, Head of the River Basin Center ( BWS) NTB Hendra Ahyadi, Head of the NTB National Road Implementation Center (BPJN) Indra Cahya Kusuma, Head of NTB Regional Settlement Infrastructure (BPPW) Ika Sri Rejeki, and Head of NTB Housing Provision Agency (BP2P) Rini Dyah Mawardy.