An appeal for help

An appeal for help

From Neraca

Apart from engaging in many projects and vocational training, the Indonesian Association of the Disabled in Bogor, West Java, is also concerned with monitoring and assessing various results of development in Indonesia and in the Bogor regency in particular. Our organization, which focuses on fieldwork and promoting handicrafts, also deals with general trade and other services.

But we are particularly concerned by the traffic situation and would therefore like to share our opinion and offer some suggestions regarding safeguarding traffic signs and facilities to benefit road users, particularly pedestrians.

One example is the road that lies between Ciawi, Bogor, and Pacet Cipanas, Cianjur. Several pedestrian bridges should be provided at proper intervals, similar to the one built in front of Hotel USSU at Cisarua and another at Cipanas market.

This would eliminate heavy traffic jams on that section of the highway. Places which urgently require such bridges are on the crossroads at Ciawi highway which connects Sukabumi and Cisarua, at Cisarua market, Taman Safari junction, and near Padang Sakti restaurant in Cipanas.

We believe Puncak highway must be one of the most congested highways in West Java. It has so many tourist attractions, villas etc. that thousands of vehicles pass it at any given moment. The situation is worsened by the irregular parking that occurs everyday. By providing safe crossing facilities, there would be less likelihood of accidents occurring. The transportation of commodities from Cipanas to Jakarta would also be smooth.

Another issue that concerns our organization and is of no less importance is our plan to build a multipurpose building which will serve as a workshop for teaching the handicapped. The funds have been made available by a sponsor, but we have yet to acquire land for the building. For that we need a recommendation from the West Java governor to be addressed to two state-owned plantation companies -- PT Gunung Mas and PT Ciliwung. With that recommendation, either one of the companies would be willing to give away a plot of land that is virtually a wasted area.

We need a plot measuring 1,000 square meters, preferably close to the tourism office in Bogor and not far from the two plantation estates.

We are waiting for a positive response from the authorities concerned.

SYAMSIL M.A.

MARDIYAH H.

Bogor, West Java