Bili-Bili dam may be postponed

Bili-Bili dam may be postponed

UJUNGPANDANG, South Sulawesi: The initial flooding of the
Bili-Bili dam in Gowa may be delayed even further because 60
farmers whose land would be submerged under water have continued
to refuse compensations to be paid to them.

The farmers are demanding that they also be reimbursed for the
loss of their crops, not only for their land and houses.

Gowa regent Syahrul Yasin Limpo said the local administration
has asked that residents accept payments in long-term
installments with their land and houses being the first to be
indemnified.

He explained that the local administration has had to postpone
reimbursements for crops due to the limited funds trickling in
from the central government.

At least Rp 700 million (US$205,800) have been allocated for
the reimbursement for land and buildings. Another Rp 900 million
is needed for the crops.

A total of 2,600 hectares of land have been procured for the
dam.

The initial flooding by the dam, which was first to have taken
place in mid-October but has now been postponed to Nov. 15, will
create a water depth of 91 meters.

The overall cost of the project which began in 1990 is Rp 800
billion. (37)