Government prioritises infrastructure recovery after NTT earthquake

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The government is prioritising the recovery of basic infrastructure and the opening of access to areas affected by the earthquake in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) so that communities are not isolated and aid distribution can proceed.

Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) said the Ministry of Public Works has deployed heavy equipment to the affected areas since the first day of the disaster.

“Since the first day, public works officials flew directly to the disaster area to ensure heavy equipment was immediately deployed, immediately mobilised,” AHY said at a press conference at his office in Jakarta on Wednesday.

According to AHY, post-earthquake handling is being carried out with a number of priorities. The first stage is assisting the evacuation of victims.

Next, the government is ensuring that no areas are isolated due to road damage or landslides.

He said the government is also prioritising the restoration of basic infrastructure, including water and electricity networks, to meet the needs of affected communities.

“Restoring basic infrastructure, water, electricity, and so on. This must be ensured because it is the most fundamental thing for the community,” AHY said.

He said restoring transportation access is important so that logistical aid, including food and medicine, can quickly reach affected communities.

AHY said the government is learning from previous disaster handling in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra, when several areas were temporarily isolated due to road access damage.

Therefore, AHY assured that the government will prioritise the restoration of access and basic infrastructure so that the handling process and distribution of aid to affected communities can proceed more quickly.