Directorate General of Water Resource Imam Santoso – supplied
Merauke, Jubi – The Ministry of Housing and Public Works plans to build a canal in Papua Province.
“President Jokowi is planning to build sixty-five canals in Indonesia, which encouraged me for taking initiative to meet the minister and president to tell that we also would build a canal in Papua,” said the Head of Canal Center, Directorate General of Water Resource Imam Santoso in Mereauke on Friday (26/8/2016).
According to him Papua has some major rivers that are potential for the canal. In near future, his office would conduct an assessment to determine the location of the canal.
“We will conduct a feasibility study at Digoel River and Mamberamo River to assess which one the most feasible. We are projecting that the construction could be started in 2017 or 2018,” he said.
Merauke Regent Sularso appreciated the Central Government’s plan on canal construction. According to him, when the plan was materialized in Merauke, the supply of water for the local community would be accomplished.
“We expect the support to realize the construction of canal to be done immediately,” he said.
He said the calan was not for agriculture only, but also to meet the people’s need on clean water, as well as for recreation.
He explained in Merauke, there are several watersheds (DAM) crossing to Papua New Guinea, such as DAS Bian, DAS Sakiramke, DAS Digoel and DAS Fly River. (*/rom)
