Gunung Kidul gets water aid

YOGYAKARTA (JP): The Gunung Kidul regency has been allotted Rp 46.9 billion (US$6.2 million) from the government for the construction of water distribution and storage facilities.

The facilities are aimed at 64,125 residents of the unfertile area. Minister of Public Works Rachmadi BS handed over the assistance on Monday, saying it was a follow-up to President B.J. Habibie's pledge made during his visit in July to help the area.

"At least the aid will help ease the annual drought," Rachmadi said when officiating the start of construction in the Panggang district. Also attending the function were Yogyakarta Governor Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X and Gunung Kidul regent Harsadiningrat.

Rachmadi said the facilities, which are expected to be spent mainly on the southern part of the regency, will comprise water tubs and a 300-kilometer pipe network to distribute water from the Bribin, Seropan and Ngobaran rivers.

Harsadiningrat said that 237,941 people in the area or about 30 percent of the population suffered from water shortages each year. (23)