Construction damages houses

Construction damages houses

JAKARTA (JP): Ten North Jakarta residents met yesterday with
City Council in an effort to obtain adequate compensation for
damage caused to their buildings by the construction of a
shop/house complex.

Welly Mahmudi, spokesman for the residents, told City
Council's Commission D, in charge of development affairs, that
the three-story shop/house project, carried out by PT Guna Tex
Persada, has caused damage their houses on Jl. Kebon Bawang VI,
Tanjung Priok district.

"The developer must take responsibility for the cracks in the
walls of our houses," Welly said.

He said the vibration of the piling machine has badly cracked
the walls.

The residents have asked the developer to pay Rp 500,000
(US$219) in compensation for each square meter of their property
damaged.

The shop/house project was started in February last year,
however, the residents have yet to repair their houses, pending
the developer's response.

"The developer is offering us only Rp 20,000 per square
meter," he said. He is claiming that the residents have been
intimidated into accepting that.

One of residents has repaired his building at his own cost
since he cannot wait any longer for the developer's response. In
addition, there are some old people living in the resident's
house, Welly said.

He said that they took the case to City Council after bringing
the matter to the City Development Supervision office resulted in
no response to their complaint.

Councilor Muhammad Rodja suggested that the residents be
accompanied by a building consultant, who has no connections with
the developer.

The consultant can determine a reasonable compensation rate,
which is fair to both sides, he said. (32)