Oil Palm Plantation Company Waste Contaminates Local Seaweed Farm
14 June 2015 10:14 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Malili - Seaweed farms owned by residents of Lagego village, East Luwu, are contaminated, allegedly by the waste from the State-owned palm plantation firm (PTPN) XIV. Head of Luwu Timur Environmental Impact Control Agency (Bapedalda), Rosmiati Alwi said further laboratory testing is needed to confirm the source of contamination.
“We can not conclude before the test result is issued,” said Rosmiati.
According to Rosmiati, a follow up has been taken by East Luwu regent, Andi Hatta Marakarma together with residents, PTPNXIV management and subdistrict head, and related agencies, that a special team will be formed to handle the issue.
“It is not the first complain we received regarding waste produced by PTPN. We must take solutions that will benefit the people. Otherwise, anarchism could rise,” Andi Hatta explained.
Previously, Lagego Village Head, Akbar, had claimed that liquid waste of PTPN XIV had overflown after the dam bursted. The waste then flown into river and damages residents’ seaweed farms.
“It’s quite severe this time. Our people might lose their living sources. There has to be a firm act from the government,” said Akbar.
Seaweed has been the flagship products of East Luwu. In 2013, the region harvested more than 216 thousand tons from 3,800 hectares land. Having 117-kilometer long coast, the region has a huge potential for seaweed exports.
HASWADI