Government Agrees to Accelerate Infrastructure Recovery in Bener Meriah
Minister of Home Affairs and Chair of the Sumatra Post-Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Acceleration Task Force, Muhammad Tito Karnavian, stated that the government and the community have agreed on steps to accelerate the recovery of road and bridge access affected by hydrometeorological disasters in Bener Meriah Regency, Aceh. The agreement is expected to speed up the restoration of connectivity for residents.
The agreement was reached during a Coordination Meeting on the Acceleration of Post-Hydrometeorological Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction held at the Bener Meriah Regent’s Pendopo Hall on Tuesday (7/7). The meeting involved central and regional governments, the Indonesian National Armed Forces and National Police, the Prosecutor’s Office, and community leaders.
Tito stated that all parties had listened to the community’s aspirations before determining priority handling measures. According to him, the discussions resulted in an agreement regarding the acceleration of infrastructure rehabilitation and reconstruction.
‘We have deliberated and listened to aspirations, and the essence is that an agreement has been reached,’ he said in a written statement on Tuesday (7/7).
The government also appreciated the community’s initiative in working together to repair road access independently. However, the discussions indicated that the Enang-Enang Bridge still requires reinforcement to be safe for use, particularly by heavy-tonnage vehicles.
Therefore, the government decided to maintain the bridge’s function by carrying out structural strengthening. This step considers the historical value of the Enang-Enang Bridge as well as the community’s need for transport access.
‘Specifically for the Enang-Enang Bridge, it has a long historical value, so it will continue to be used, but later the Public Works Office will strengthen its structure,’ Tito added.
During the bridge strengthening process, the government will prepare an alternative route through Werlah. That road will be repaired first, from widening to improving the quality of the road surface so it can be used as temporary access.
In addition to restoring existing access, the government and the community also agreed on the construction of a permanent bridge. The new bridge is planned to become one of the main infrastructures supporting mobility while also serving as a landmark for the Gayo region.
‘And it will be a source of pride in the Land of Gayo,’ concluded Tito.
On the same occasion, the Task Force also handed over assistance in the form of one water tanker vehicle to the Bener Meriah Regency Government. The assistance is part of the government’s support for post-disaster handling and recovery in the region.