Gunung Kidul gets water aid

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)