Legislator: Patchwork road repairs squander public funds

JAKARTA (ANTARA) – A patchwork approach to road repairs only squanders the budget without delivering tangible benefits for the public, said Nabilah Aboebakar Alhabsy, a member of the Jakarta Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) Commission D.

“The public does not need repairs that last only a few days. What is needed is thorough, integrated work with quality,” Nabilah said in Jakarta on Friday, commenting on a road collapse in Lenteng Agung, South Jakarta.

She criticised the infrastructure management in Lenteng Agung following a road collapse that occurred shortly after the local Public Works Department (Dinas Bina Marga) had repaved the area.

Ironically, before the asphalt work, the water resources department (Dinas Sumber Daya Air) had inspected the drainage systems at the same site. This indicates poor technical coordination between agencies on the ground.

“If a newly repaired road collapses again, it signifies serious flaws in planning and supervision. This isn’t just about patching roads—it’s about the government’s work quality,” she said.

She noted that road and drainage works have often been carried out in isolation without proper coordination. As a result, after one department finishes its work, new issues arise that endanger residents.

She called for a technical audit of the works at the site, including assessments of construction quality, soil structure, and the underground drainage system, which is suspected to be inadequately managed.

“Public funds must not be repeatedly spent on fixing the same spots due to weak coordination and oversight,” she said.

Nabilah also urged the Jakarta Provincial Government to strengthen on-site infrastructure project oversight, ensuring works are not merely rushed to meet administrative deadlines but are genuinely high-quality and safe for the public.

“We are talking about public safety and government credibility. Infrastructure must not be done haphazardly,” she added.