Electricity returns to North Maluku<\/p>\n
M. Azis Tunny, The Jakarta Post\/North Maluku<\/p>\n
While residents in North Sumatra and Java are experiencing
\nelectricity blackouts, North Maluku residents have again begun to
\nenjoy electricity services since Thursday.<\/p>\n
Electricity has returned to 10 remote subdistricts here
\nafter United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the
\nEuropean Union (EU) repaired electricity networks that had been
\ndestroyed in sectarian violence in 2000.<\/p>\n
The rehabilitation project costing Euro 426,954 had taken
\nplace since March and will benefit thousands of people living in
\nthe 10 remote subdistricts of South Halmahera regency, North
\nMaluku. The project has reinstated, among others, a 20 kilovolt
\nelectrical relay station in the area.<\/p>\n
Patrick Sweeting, head of Crisis Prevention and Recovery Unit
\nwith the UNDP's Indonesia operations, said that the project was
\naimed at, among others, encouraging displaced persons to return
\nto the 10 remote subdistricts.<\/p>\n
The project was also aimed at providing electrical
\ninfrastructure to support crucial public services such as
\nhospitals and schools, said Sweeting during the project
\ninauguration in the Wayauwa subdistrict in South Halmahera. The
\nproject inauguration on Thursday was attended by North Maluku
\ngovernor Thaib Armayn and EU ambassador to Indonesia Jean
\nBreteche.<\/p>\n
Earlier, the UNDP had repaired electricity networks in Galela
\nand South Tobelo districts in North Halmahera.<\/p>\n
Besides the electricity rehabilitation program, the UNDP will
\nalso soon embark on another program to support post conflict
\nrecovery in North Maluku. The program is called the Development
\nPeace Program.<\/p>\n
Foreign donors have been actively pouring money to Maluku
\nafter the area was rocked by sectarian violence in 1999. Bloody
\nclashes between Muslims and Christians killed thousands of people
\nand displaced tens of thousands people. The conflict subsided
\nonly in 2002 after a government sponsored peace pact was signed
\nby the warring parties in South Sulawesi.<\/p>",
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