AHY: Inauguration of five dams strengthens food, energy self-sufficiency
West Lombok, NTB (ANTARA) — Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) said the inauguration of five dams by President Prabowo forms an important part of the government’s strategy to strengthen national resilience through food, water and energy self-sufficiency.
“Today we are happy because what has been inaugurated is not only the Meninting Dam, but five dams at once in various regions of Indonesia. This reinforces the strategy and policy towards food self-sufficiency, energy self-sufficiency and water self-sufficiency,” said AHY after accompanying President Prabowo Subianto at the simultaneous inauguration of five dams, centred at the Meninting Dam in West Lombok Regency, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), on Friday.
Besides the Meninting Dam in NTB, the four other dams inaugurated were the Sidan Dam in Bali, the Jlantah Dam in Karanganyar Regency, Central Java, and the Keureuto Dam and Rukoh Dam in Aceh.
AHY further stressed that dams serve a highly strategic function, because they not only provide raw water for communities but also improve irrigation services that can boost agricultural productivity.
In addition to supporting the agricultural sector, dams also function as flood controllers in various regions still facing hydrometeorological disaster threats.
“Therefore, there need to be regulators through the construction of modern dams that are well managed,” said AHY.
AHY said dams also hold great potential as new renewable energy sources through hydropower plants as well as floating solar panels.
Not only that, according to AHY, dam areas also have the potential to be developed as tourist and water sports destinations, given their beautiful natural panoramas and pleasant surroundings.
He therefore hopes the existence of the five dams can deliver real benefits to communities, from meeting clean water needs and increasing agricultural production to driving regional economic growth.
“So, we hope this substantial investment of Rp9.7 trillion in the five dams, with construction taking many years, becomes proof of the importance of continuity in national development. Every rupiah used to build these dams is the people’s money. Therefore, the benefits must return to the people,” he said.