Govt to speed up processing of permits for ravaged buildings

Govt to speed up processing of permits for ravaged buildings

JAKARTA (JP): The city administration will speed up the
processing of permits for renovations on buildings destroyed
during last week's rioting, an official has said.

"The procedure of the permit processing will be different from
that on ordinary days. What's important is how the buildings can
be renovated as soon as possible because most of them are badly
needed to help the city's business activities recover," Deputy
Governor for Development Affairs Budiardjo Soekmadi said
Wednesday.

"If we find that everything is okay, we will immediately
release the permits."

At least 4,940 buildings, including traditional markets,
shopping centers, banks, fuel stations and residences, were
damaged in varying degrees during the massive rioting, looting
and burning throughout the city last week.

Losses in the city were estimated at Rp 2.5 trillion.

Budiardjo said that before the issuance of renovation permits,
the buildings' worthiness, safety and strength should be
thoroughly checked by the city's building control and development
agency.

"This requirement should be met to avoid the possibility of
something wrong from happening later. It is for the sake of
people's safety.

"What if the buildings collapse just after the renovation?"

Budiardjo said the administration might reject applications
for the renovation permits if findings from the building control
and development agency showed that the condition of the buildings
was no longer favorable.

Lukman Mokoginta, a member of City Council Commission D for
development affairs, welcomed the administration's pledge.

He urged the administration to immediately announce it to the
general public.

"It has happened many times that people were not well informed
about the administration's wise steps. I think it will be better
if officials announce it at subdistrict offices, for example," he
said. (ind)