Ahok Plans to Revitalise Jakarta`s Sidewalks Before Asian Game
28 May 2016 17:28 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama said that Jakarta Administration plans to revitalise and re-build 2,600 kilometres of sidewalks across the capital - and Basuki plans to finish the construction of these sidewalks in the next two years, to coincide with the 2018 Asian Games, which Indonesia will be hosting.
"It is imperative that we build 2,600 kilometres of sidewalks for pedestrians across Jakarta - and the cost of this project is expected to reach around Rp3 trillion," said Ahok - as Basuki is commonly referred as in Jakarta on Saturday, May 28, 2016. "I want all of these sidewalks to be completed before the start of the 2018 Asian Games."
Ahok said that it will take a lot of commitment and time to construct sidewalks with an average width of eight to nine metres because the cost associated with the construction is very high. A such, the Governor plans to issue a regulation to pressure developers and construction companies to contribute to the betterment of Jakarta's infrastructure projects.
For example, continued Ahok, Mori Company has been asked fork out Rp579 billion in contributions - wherein Rp345,067 billion will be used to help fund the Semanggi Overpass, while the remaining contribution will be used to widen and revitalise parts of Jakarta's sidewalks.
"It will take too long for to wait [for Jakarta's Regional House of Representative] to approve a budget of Rp100 billion to fund this project, so we have been forced to think outside the box," said Ahok. "Companies that make profit out of projects that are carried out in Jakarta, should start to think about giving back to the community - in this case, to widen our city's sidewalks."
According to Ahok, the amount of contribution will be calculated according to the taxable value of property (NJOP). "We are still mulling the best way of proceeding with this plan," he said. "If a company wishes to build pedestrian crossings, construct buildings - go ahead, but be prepared to set aside some capital from its' total profit to be as a contribution for our residents."
DESTRIANITA KUSUMASTUTI