`River transportation will only benefit officials'<\/p>\n
The city administration's idea to set up a river transportation
\nsystem has received mixed reactions. Many people consider the
\nidea foolish and laughable. The Jakarta Post asked more people
\ntheir views on the matter.<\/p>\n
Hasyim, 40, is a street artist on Jl. Gajah Mada, West
\nJakarta. He lives on Jl. Pasar Ikan, North Jakarta, with his wife
\nand four children:<\/p>\n
The idea is impossible. It's absurd and unrealistic.<\/p>\n
Most rivers in the city are not meant for transportation.<\/p>\n
The water is dirty and I'm sure people still have the bad
\nhabit of dumping garbage recklessly in the rivers.<\/p>\n
There are too many problems the administration has to face.
\nIt's useless to run the project as it will cost billions of
\nrupiah and yield no results. It won't help ease the traffic
\nproblems either.<\/p>\n
It's far better to build toll roads or bypass roads to ease
\nthe traffic congestion from Blok M to Kota.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, I just wonder why the administration does
\nnot try to find a solution to the problems of the people in the
\nlow-income bracket.<\/p>\n
It's clear that the administration officials only think of
\nmaking money for their own benefit in the name of public
\nservices.<\/p>\n
Abdul, not his real name, 59, sells newspapers at Kota railway
\nstation in West Jakarta. He lives on Jl. Pasar Ikan, North
\nJakarta, with his wife and two children:<\/p>\n
The idea is nonsensical. People don't need such a project,
\nwhich will need a huge investment.<\/p>\n
We can see the real condition of rivers in the city. The water
\nis black, dirty, smelly and stagnant. How could such rivers be
\nused for transportation? It's unfeasible.<\/p>\n
Why don't the administration officials better manage traffic
\nin the city before discussing other solutions?<\/p>\n
Perhaps they have run out of ideas how to make money so they
\nhave thought up this crazy idea, which will be profitable for
\nthem.<\/p>\n
It will only be another way to fill out their budget forms so
\nthe city can spend the money. It's common practice among
\nofficials.<\/p>\n
Suwarno, 36, is an ojek (motorcycle taxi) driver in Ancol,
\nNorth Jakarta. He lives in Pinangsia, West Jakarta with his
\nfriends. His wife and five children resides in Sragen, Central
\nJava:<\/p>\n
If the project materializes, it could be another alternative
\nto solve transportation problems in the city.<\/p>\n
I don't know about the Ciliwung River but I can see that there
\nare many squatters living in houses on stilts along the river
\nbanks.<\/p>\n
If the rivers have less bends, it'll be OK. But in Ancol there
\nare fewer problems, I guess.<\/p>\n
I often see military officers using boats along the river for
\nmilitary exercises.<\/p>\n
However, I wonder how much money will be needed to raise the
\nbridges crossing the many rivers in the city.<\/p>\n
I think it won't be that easy to prepare the rivers for the
\nproject.<\/p>\n
I don't really care about it. It has nothing to do with the
\nlives of the poor. What is more important for us is survival. The
\nproject won't improve our lives, it will only benefit the
\nofficials.<\/p>\n
-- Leo Wahyudi S.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/river-transportation-will-only-benefit-officials-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }