Andre Rosiade Oversees Rp218 Billion River Normalisation in Padang Pariaman

A programme worth around Rp218 billion for river normalisation in Padang Pariaman, West Sumatra, is targeted to begin in November 2026. Deputy Chairman of House Commission VI from the Gerindra Party, Andre Rosiade, is overseeing the project and is pushing not only for normalisation but also for the construction of new road access along the riverbanks.

According to Andre, handling flood-affected areas must be accompanied by new road access solutions, especially in locations where old riverside roads have been lost due to flood erosion.

He made the remarks while inspecting Anduriang Bridge in Nagari Anduring, 2 X 11 Kayutanam District, together with Padang Pariaman Regent John Kennedi Azis on Friday (21/8).

During the visit, Andre was accompanied by Head of the Sumatera V River Basin Agency in Padang, Reski Wahyudi, Head of the West Sumatra National Road Implementation Agency, Elsa Putra Friandi, and Head of the West Sumatra Cipta Karya Agency, Maria Doeini Isa. Also present was Chairman of the NasDem faction in the West Sumatra Regional House of Representatives, Endarmy.

Andre said river normalisation is one of the main post-disaster handling programmes in West Sumatra. Specifically for the Padang Pariaman area, normalisation work valued at Rp218 billion will soon commence.

“For the normalisation along this river, Rp218 billion from the River Basin Agency. We will begin work at the end of this month. In November 2026, you will be able to see the normalisation begin. Many heavy machines will be working here,” Andre said.

According to Andre, river normalisation is important not only to improve river flow conditions but also as an effort to reduce flood impacts and protect infrastructure along the river.

On the occasion, Padang Pariaman Regent John Kennedi Azis raised another issue requiring attention, namely the severance of road access in the Pasia Laweh area due to flooding.

“In Pasia Laweh, due to the flood, the road that used to be along the cliff edge is gone. Now the road is cut off and there is no road,” John Kennedi said.

According to him, the regional government has prepared two solution options. First, to build a new road alignment. However, this option requires land that is not easy to obtain. The alternative is to return the river flow to its original course so that road access can be restored.

“First, we build a new alignment, but it is indeed difficult to find the land. Second, we divert the river back like this, we divert the river back to its original place,” he said.

John Kennedi asked the Sumatera V River Basin Agency to inspect the area directly so that the best technical solution can be determined. According to him, the issue is urgent because communities in the affected area have now lost road access.

Andre assessed that river and road access handling needs to be carried out in an integrated manner. Therefore, he is encouraging the need for new road construction in affected areas to be synergised with river handling and post-disaster infrastructure programmes.

“So in one go, this November it will begin,” Andre said.

Andre said the river normalisation programme in Padang Pariaman is part of the central government’s commitment to accelerate the rehabilitation and reconstruction of West Sumatra’s infrastructure after the disaster.

He said the central government has prepared a budget of around Rp19 trillion for rehabilitation and reconstruction in West Sumatra, to be implemented in stages from 2025 to 2027. Under the programme, a number of rivers and vital infrastructure in various regions will be handled.

“In West Sumatra, 25 rivers will, God willing, be completed within 11 months. This is the commitment that the central government is serious, that President Prabowo’s government is serious about rebuilding West Sumatra,” he said.

In addition to river normalisation, Andre also confirmed that the construction of several bridges in Padang Pariaman continues to be monitored. Anduriang Bridge has been included in the indicative budget ceiling and is targeted for tender in January 2027. Physical construction is expected to begin in February 2027 with a budget of around Rp47 billion from the state budget.

Meanwhile, Kayu Gadang Sikabu Bridge has received budget support of Rp47.5 billion through the 2026 Regional Roads Presidential Instruction programme. Work is targeted to begin at the end of 2026 after administrative and budgeting processes are completed.

Andre said bridge construction, river normalisation, and road access restoration must proceed in tandem so that post-disaster handling provides direct benefits to the community.

“Anduriang Bridge we will build in February 2027, river normalisation we will begin in November 2026, then Sikabu Bridge we will begin possibly in November 2026. This is President Prabowo’s commitment to rebuilding Padang Pariaman,” he said.

Regent John Kennedi appreciated the central government’s support and Andre Rosiade’s oversight in accelerating post-disaster infrastructure handling. He expressed hope that collaboration between the central government, the House of Representatives, and the regional government can produce permanent solutions for the community.

Meanwhile, Head of the West Sumatra Cipta Karya Agency, Maria Doeini Isa, conveyed the central government’s support for the drinking water sector in disaster-affected areas.

For drinking water supply system handling activities in 2026, a budget of Rp133 billion has been prepared for the Salisikan and Tubuk Bontal regional drinking water systems. The work is targeted for completion in December 2026.

Andre added that these various programmes demonstrate that post-disaster handling in West Sumatra is being carried out concretely and in stages, from river normalisation and bridge construction to road access restoration and drinking water provision.

“We came here together to convey that this is the message from the President to the people of Padang Pariaman,” Andre said.