Bantar Gebang dump to close in December
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)