Jokowi Builds 49 Dams for Irrigation and Agriculture

Liputan6.com, Jakarta President Joko Widodo or Jokowi expresses the government’s endeavour to build approximately 49 dams within the range of 5 years for both irrigation and agriculture throughout Indonesia. Initially, the plan was to build 30 dams but the President has decided to extend his development plan to achieve such effectiveness in those particular sectors.

The recent change to the initial plan of building only 30 dams is directly influenced by the result of President Jokowi and his Vice Jusuf Kalla meeting with the Governors from all provinces at Bogor, West Java on Monday (11/24/2014). As RI 1 and his vice listened to the Governors suggestions, they immediately decided to increase the number of dams. This shows that democracy is in practice.

“We were initially planning on building 30 dams within 5 years time. Turns out, there were only half of the governors who show interest in building dams. Some request three dams in their regions, the rest think one is enough. And as I did the calculation, the 30 dams would not suffice. So I immediately raise the amount up to 49 dams,” said Jokowi at The Presidential Palace in Bogor, West Java, on Monday (11/24/2014).

“It is really important to hold such meeting and to openly accept great plans, suggestions and new ideas from the governors. This is primarily because, if the central government does not communicate its intention and directly implement its agenda, it may be hard to consolidate it with the local governors. Transparency and communication with them are two crucial features,” he continued.

Today, Jokowi holds a meeting with the Indonesian Provincial Government Association (LGAs). The meeting aims to discuss the need for all central government programs to be consolidated and communicated to the local governments. This is to prevent conflict in the future that may arise from miscommunication and lack of transparency. Moreover, it is expected that their programs are in line, intertwined and in support of each other.

“This is the second meeting between us and the governors. We will always try to hold this kind of meeting with them. Perhaps monthly meeting as to achieve a desirable synchronization and harmonization of the central and local government’s programs,” shared Jokowi. (Akp/Ein)