Development projects rescheduled<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The city will reschedule some of its projects
\nfollowing the government's decision to cut budget spending in the
\nwake of the currency and stock market crisis, Governor Surjadi
\nSoedirdja said.<\/p>\n
The projects, handled or supervised by the city
\nadministration, will either be postponed or canceled, Surjadi
\nsaid after a meeting with officials from the Development Planning
\nBoard yesterday.<\/p>\n
"The city has to evaluate the 1997\/1998 budget. We can't just
\npush ahead with all the projects. The budget is based on
\npredictions and if we overstep the mark then, of course, we have
\nto fix it," the outgoing governor said.<\/p>\n
He declined to indicate the monetary values and names of the
\nprojects to be rescheduled.<\/p>\n
Deputy Governor of Economic and Development Affairs, Tb. M.
\nRais, estimated that the rescheduled projects accounted for Rp
\n100 billion (US$33.5 million) of the city's Rp 3.36 trillion
\nbudget in the 1997\/1998 fiscal year.<\/p>\n
"I can't give you further details because it is still under
\nreview," he said.<\/p>\n
According to Surjadi, who will end his term early next month,
\nthe city administration has already evaluated its projects.<\/p>\n
"The bottom line is there are projects that will be postponed
\nor even canceled," Surjadi said. "Anything will be possible."<\/p>\n
Basically, the city will put priority on projects relating to
\npublic interests, he said.<\/p>\n
Among the projects on the priority list are the construction
\nof flyovers, which were badly needed to overcome the city's
\nchronic traffic problems, he said.<\/p>\n
"The flyover projects are the city's priority and the
\nmunicipality will try its best to keep them running."<\/p>\n
The administration recently completed construction on 23 of
\nthe 25 flyovers planned for the 1992\/1997 term.<\/p>\n
For the 1998\/2003 period, the city plans to construct another
\n46 flyovers and underpasses.<\/p>\n
The city's public works agency will develop 23 of the new
\nflyovers, with another 11 to be completed in cooperation with
\nprivate investors, and the Ministry of Public Works' directorate
\ngeneral of highways will be responsible for the remaining 12.<\/p>\n
Other projects<\/p>\n
When asked whether the city's would reschedule construction of
\nthe new South Jakarta mayoralty office on the Blok P cemetery
\nsite, Surjadi said: "The plan remains but it will be developed
\ndepending on the city's budget."<\/p>\n
The administration will also review the renovation plan for
\nthe Kramat Jati market in East Jakarta, which will be funded by a
\nprivate firm under the city's supervision, he said.<\/p>\n
"The investor is also facing a monetary crisis."<\/p>\n
Surjadi said the transit system connecting Bintaro in South
\nJakarta to downtown Kota in West Jakarta will also be reassessed.<\/p>\n
"The three-tier transit system will be constructed by private
\ninvestors but the city will surely reevaluate this project too."<\/p>\n
In response to the city's plan, councilor Ali Wongso H. Sinaga
\nsaid that the city should base its analysis on the public's
\nneeds.<\/p>\n
"The evaluation should be based on the scale of priorities,
\nsuch as projects to improve services and to solve traffic
\nproblems."<\/p>\n
He urged the municipality to consult with city councilors to
\nprevent disputes in the future.<\/p>\n
"The evaluation also means there will be an evaluation of the
\ncity's budget." (07\/ste)<\/p>",
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