Bojong dump to open on Oct. 1

JAKARTA: After several delays, the Jakarta administration now says it will start the operation of Bojong dump in Bogor regency on Oct. 1, despite strong opposition from local residents.

"We can no longer delay the opening of the dump. We plan to start its operation gradually next month with the processing of waste from Bogor," IGKG Suena, a development affairs assistant to the city secretary, told reporters at City Hall on Thursday.

"We want local residents to see how the waste processing facility works and hope that they will accept it after they see that they can benefit from its operation," he said.

Operator PT Wira Gulfindo Sarana delayed the postponed the opening of the facility from the scheduled Aug. 15. Local residents had threatened to burn the German-made bale press machinery for fear that the dump would damage the environment and endanger their health.

Bojong dump will process around 1,500 tons of the 6,000 tons of Jakarta trash produced every day. -- JP