Provincial councillors plan Dutch trip<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Councillors of the South Kalimantan legislative body are planning
\na trip to the Netherlands for talks with a Dutch company the
\nprovince might grant a dredging project on Barito River to.<\/p>\n
\"I heard information about the planned trip to the
\nNetherlands, and am myself included on the list (of councilors to
\nattend). But I haven't received any formal invitation,\" said
\nCouncil Speaker H. Mansyah Addryans as quoted by Antara on
\nWednesday.<\/p>\n
He said Dutch company DETEC invited South Kalimantan Governor
\nSjachriel Darham to discuss improving an earlier dredging project
\non the Barito River.<\/p>\n
The original project, worth US$20 million, aimed to widen the
\nBarito River's banks so that wide-body ships could use it.<\/p>\n
It was conducted by China-based China Harbour Engineering
\nCompany (CHEC), which hired contractor PT Sarana Duta Prima Putra
\n(SDPP) to do the job.<\/p>\n
CHEC's appointment followed a visit by Governor Sjachriel and
\nseveral councilors to China. CHEC reportedly paid for the
\ndelegation's trip.<\/p>\n
However after CHEC completed the project in September last
\nyear, it turned out SDPP failed to match their work with the
\nproject design. Subsequently, the Barito River's banks are still
\nto narrow for wide-body ships to enter the river.<\/p>\n
Governor Sjachriel is said to be inviting several councillors
\nagain this time to join his meeting with DETEC.<\/p>\n
Mansyah said the council had yet to approve the planned trip,
\nadding he would unlikely go himself because of health reasons.<\/p>\n
Critics have questioned the need of the Dutch visit, with some
\nfearing councillors might use public money for the trip.<\/p>\n
\"Members of the South Kalimantan council shouldn't go to the
\nNetherlands, as it might have negative consequences,\" said Eka of
\nthe Banjarmasin based Student Committee against Oppression
\n(KOMPAK).<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/provincial-councillors-plan-dutch-trip-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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