Govt gives out peanuts in return for dump<\/p>\n
Wahyuana, Bekasi<\/p>\n
The Bekasi administration finally distributed on Monday
\ncompensation to residents in the vicinity of Jakarta's Bantar
\nGebang dump.<\/p>\n
About 12,000 families of Cikiwul, Ciketing Udik and Sumur Batu
\nvillages will each receive Rp 100,000 (US$11.5) over two months.<\/p>\n
The compensation was demanded by residents, who rejected the
\nreopening of the dump in January, as unprocessed waste there had
\npolluted the area and caused respiratory illnesses, skin problems
\nand diarrhea since 1986.<\/p>\n
The latest strike against the reopened dump was on May 5, when
\nresidents blocked the dump's entrance and demanded the
\nadministration to fulfill its promise to provide compensation.<\/p>\n
Spokesman Cecep Sutandi said the administration had disbursed
\non Friday half of the Rp 1.4 billion provided by appointed dump
\noperator PT Patriot Bekasi Bangkit toward the compensation.<\/p>\n
\"Half of this amount has been disbursed to three village
\nadministrations ... each family will receive Rp 50,000 on Monday
\nand another Rp 50,000 next month,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"We expect no more protests. We will give them other
\nfacilities such as roads, schools and health services as further
\ncompensation.\"<\/p>\n
However, not all were satisfied with the compensation package.<\/p>\n
\"It's too little money when compared with the environmental
\ndamage the dump has caused. Residents have told the
\nadministration that we would accept the reopening of the dump,
\nbut on one condition: better waste management.<\/p>\n
\"The administration should build a higher wall around the
\ndump, provide clean water and fumigate the area weekly to kill
\nflies, as well as provide free health services,\" said Domon, 50,
\nof Ciketing Udik, who lives about 100 meters from the dump.<\/p>\n
The Jakarta administration has established the Kartini Health
\nClinic at Bantar Gebang dump, but the service is for scavengers
\nand not residents.<\/p>\n
Another resident, Rokib, 35, said: \"The money could not
\ncompensate for the stench, which can be smelled for a 10-
\nkilometer radius from the dump\".<\/p>\n
The head of the survey team established by the Bekasi Council
\nfor Bantar Gebang dump, Wahyu Prihandono, also deplored the
\nadministration's stance on compensation.<\/p>\n
\"It would be better that the administration provide health
\ninsurance for the residents instead of giving them money, which
\nwill not last long,\" he said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/govt-gives-out-peanuts-in-return-for-dump-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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