Bantar Gebang dump to close in December
JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta and Bekasi administrations agreed on Thursday to begin closing the Bantar Gebang garbage dump, long condemned as a health and environmental hazard, in December.
"We have agreed to gradually close the Bantar Gebang garbage dump in Bekasi," deputy governor Budihardjo Sukmadi said after a meeting between officials of the Jakarta administration, led by Governor Sutiyoso, Bekasi councilors and Bekasi Mayor Nonon Sonthanie at City Hall.
He said the Jakarta administration allocated Rp 10 billion (US$1.2 million) for cleanup of the dump and as compensation for environmental damage in the area.
"Governor Sutiyoso apologized to the Bekasi people over the environmental damage in the area," he said.
He said the Jakarta administration also agreed on Thursday to build a permanent community health center in the area to help the local residents.
The garbage dump is located in three villages -- Sumur Batu, Cikiwul and Ciketing Udik -- with a population of 4,819 families consisting of 19,603 people.
Three periodic health operations, held by the Jakarta administration in three Bantar Gebang communities, treated 1,666 people suffering from various disorders, including respiratory disease, skin infections and anemia.
New site
Budihardjo said both Jakarta and Bekasi residents could continue disposing garbage -- amounting to 23,000 cubic meters per day -- at the garbage dump until the construction of a new dump in Ciangir, Tangerang, was completed.
He said the construction of the Ciangir dump would start in 2001. The project, which will include the construction of new roads to the site, is projected to cost Rp 56 billion.
"We'll hold talks with the Tangerang administration about the plan. We'll assure them that what happened in Bantar Gebang will not happen in Ciangir," he said.
Head of the city's sanitary agency Saksono Soehodo said a seven-hectare plot of Zone 3 at Bantar Gebang would be closed permanently in December.
However, he was unable to put a date on when the entire 108- hectare dump would be shut.
"According to city planning, the garbage dump could be used until 2004 if it is managed properly," he said.
"The garbage pile, which is from eight meters to 15 meters high, is still at a tolerable height."
He said four of the five zones which are already overcapacity would be covered with soil.
"Meanwhile, the 11-hectare plot of Zone 5, which is still empty, will be opened to take garbage," Saksono said.
The city administration earlier blamed environmental damage at the dump to mismanagement.
Effluent from the dump has reportedly contaminated water sources in surrounding areas and thousands of local residents reportedly suffer from respiratory disorders.
The Bekasi councilors' delegation, led by Lt. Col. Adi Kristiono of the military/police faction, said they understood the explanation given by Sutiyoso.
"However, we'll discuss the Jakarta administration's plan with other councilors," Adi said.
Bekasi councilors have previously demanded the total closure of the garbage dump.
Meanwhile, 20 students from the Bekasi Students Union, who were not invited to the meeting with Sutiyoso, said they were dissatisfied with the agreement.
Union spokesman Abdul Azis said its own survey revealed that 80 percent of respondents in the three villages demanded immediate closure of the dump. (jun)