Expert Criticizes Anies Baswedan`s Black River Net Solution

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The decision of Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan upon handling the polluted Sentiong River which is also known as the ‘black river’ has been deemed insignificant by an expert.

Environmental expert from the Trisakti University Nirwono Yoga said that the decision to cover the river with a black net is merely an instant solution with minimum results.

“It is not smart to use an instant solution by covering parts of the river with a large net,” said Nirwono on July 23.

The black river is located nearby the Asian Games athlete’s apartment complex in Kemayoran, which will accommodate athletes and official members from 45 participant countries. The Jakarta provincial government has covered the river with a 700-meter net in hopes of preventing the smelly odor from spreading.

Read also: Asian Games; National Media Accused of Highlighting `Black River`

Nirwono maintained that the solution to eliminate the river’s odor is by acting tough against the factories that still throw away their wastes to the river, he assessed that the black river is a victim to factories and irresponsible people who often throw trash at the river.

He revealed that Kemayoran’s vicinity houses home industries that are not equipped with the appropriate waste treatment facilities and would often throw it directly to the black river. The small-scale factories mostly consist of tofu makers and jeans washing.

DEVY ERNIS