Jakarta sets its priorities in 2005 budget

Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta

The 2005 city budget estimates show that the Jakarta administration is focusing on the completion of a number of major projects, including two new busway corridors, the East Flood Canal and waste treatment plants.

These represent part of what have been termed the "13 prioritized programs", for which a total budget allocation of Rp 2.82 trillion (around US$313 million) has been proposed, or 20 percent of the total proposed city budget of Rp 13.93 trillion for next year.

In the budget estimates submitted to the City Council on Tuesday, the administration proposed an allocation of Rp 515 billion to construct busway lanes and shelters and to acquire land for road widening along the new corridors, which will connect Pulo Gadung in East Jakarta and the National Monument (Monas) Park in Central Jakarta, and Pulo Gadung and Kalideres in West Jakarta.

Jakarta Public Works Agency director Fodly Misbach said the construction of the busways would be finished by November of next year.

The city currently has one busway corridor connecting Blok M in South Jakarta and Kota in West Jakarta. It plans to construct 14 busway corridors throughout the capital.

The administration has also proposed an allocation of Rp 851.5 billion for projects aimed at reducing annual flooding. Some Rp 450 billion will be spent on acquire 62 hectares of land affected for the construction of the East Flood Canal project, while the remaining Rp 401.5 billion is earmarked for lake and river dredging.

The canal is a joint project between the city and the central government, with the city administration being required to allocate around Rp 2.47 trillion for the acquisition of some 400 hectares of land. Meanwhile, the central government will provide Rp 2.53 trillion for construction work.

The 23-kilometer-long canal, which will run from West Jakarta to East Jakarta, will also be used for urban water transportation. It is hoped that the project will solve the flooding problem in one-fifth of Jakarta area.

The administration has also earmarked Rp 400 billion for the building of waste incineration plants, which it considers to be the best solution to the city's chronic garbage problem.

The plants are expected to gradually replace the Bantar Gebang dump in Bekasi, where the city disposes of almost 6,000 tons of garbage every day.

I-Box

Jakarta prioritized programs in 2005

1. Development of busways Rp 515 billion 2. Construction of East Flood Canal Rp 450 billion 3. Lake and river dredging Rp 401.5 billion 4. Waste treatment facilities Rp 400 billion 5. Construction of low-cost apartments Rp 150 billion 6. Construction of elevated roads and

underpasses Rp 153.5 billion 7. Subdistrict Society Empowerment

Program (PPMK) microcredit scheme Rp 267 billion 8. Pilot projects for public services

in 50 subdistricts Rp 50 billion 9. Pilot projects for public services

in 10 districts Rp 10 billion 10. The expansion of Jakarta Islamic Center Rp 61.23 billion 11. Improvement of teachers' welfare Rp 109.9 billion 12. School building renovation Rp 200 billion 13. Reforestation of 1.16 hectares Rp 50 billion

of land