Govt readies Rp 10b for Ambon

Govt readies Rp 10b for Ambon

AMBON, Maluku: The provincial government of Maluku has allotted
just Rp 10 billion (about US$1.14 million) to rebuild
infrastructure in the provincial capital Ambon after three years
of sectarian clashes.

Head of the Maluku public works agency, Pieter Mustamu, said
on Thursday that the funds were drawn from this year's provincial
budget.

He said his office planned to repair the city's drinking water
facilities, remove garbage piled in the gutters and dredge the
rivers which run through Ambon.

The funds would also be used to build garbage dump sites and
repair a number of damaged roads in the city.

Pieter said he hoped to complete the project within two months
with the help of the public and the Indonesian Military (TNI).

Life in Ambon is slowly returning to normal after last year's
signing of a peace accord to end a three-year war between the
Christian and Muslim communities in Maluku.

The province remains under a civil emergency status as
sporadic violence continues. -- Antara