Indonesia Aims to Finish 32 Dam Projects by 2024

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing aims to finish constructing 32 dams by 2024. Minister Basuki Hadimuljono said that from 2015 to 2024 the government has a program to build 61 dams.

As of 2022, 29 dams have been completed.

"This is to ensure water and food security," Basuki said in a written statement, March 22.

He said the completion of the 61 dams would increase the use of water for irrigation systems; from 11 percent to 20 percent. With an uninterrupted supply of water, planting frequency can increase by twice or three times per year.

The ministry has also completed 1 million hectares of irrigation area and 3 million hectares of rehabilitation area between 2015 and 2019.

Basuki said that in 2020-2024, the government is committed to building 500,000 hectares of irrigation areas and rehabilitating 2 million hectares of irrigation networks, such as food estates in North Sumatra, East Nusa Tenggara, Central Kalimantan and other places.

The government is also ensuring the provision of drinking water and sanitation. Basuki said that from 2020 to 2024 his ministry is targeting to raise access to safe drinking water to households to 100 percent, and access to proper sanitation to 90 percent.

"By achieving these targets, we will reduce stunting and the national poverty rate," said Basuki.

Read: PUPR Ministry Expects to Complete Sepaku Semoi Dam by 2023

FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA