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)