LP2AD Flags Jakarta East Drainage Improvement Project

Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Regional Apparatus Irregularities Monitoring Institute (LP2AD) has raised concerns over a Rp1,572,904,410 drainage revitalisation project on Jalan Sumur Jambu, Pinang Ranti sub-district, Makasar district, East Jakarta, which it says does not appear to comply with the plan.

LP2AD Executive Director Victor Irianto Napitupulu said in a statement in Jakarta on Thursday that he was urging contractor CV Hasea Benedict to make immediate repairs and ensure all work was carried out in line with the approved plans and technical specifications.

He said one issue requiring examination was the allegation that no working layer had been installed during the drainage project. Whether such a layer was required should be verified against the planning documents and technical specifications.

“Work funded by the government must be carried out in accordance with the plans and technical specifications. If any work is found to be non-compliant, the contractor must make immediate repairs and address the shortcomings,” Victor said.

He added that the project, which had a target completion period of 90 working days, was completed in just over a month, raising suspicions that it may have been carried out carelessly or not in accordance with technical specifications.

He also questioned the role of supervising consultant PT Indit Tara Reky, saying its performance should be evaluated. The consultant should ensure that every stage of the work complies with the contract, the plans and applicable technical requirements.

“Supervision must not be merely a formality. The supervising consultant must ensure that the work on site conforms to the plans and issue warnings or demand repairs if deviations are found,” Victor stressed.

LP2AD also called on the East Jakarta Water Resources Sub-agency, the relevant authority, not to shirk responsibility. The agency responsible for the project must ensure that the completed work meets the plans and contractual requirements.

Victor said any parts of the work that may not have been delivered as planned should prompt an evaluation of the project’s planning, implementation and supervision.

In addition to the alleged absence of a working layer, LP2AD highlighted claims that some old drainage covers remained damaged or had holes and may not have been repaired.

“The condition needs attention to ensure the drainage system functions properly and road users remain safe,” Victor said.

He also questioned whether the drainage crossing work had been carried out as required. The allegation should be verified through a technical inspection on site and comparison with the contract documents and plans.

The contractor had also not resurfaced the sections of road affected by the work. As a result, the surface of Jalan Sumur Jambu had not been properly restored after the project.

“Once the work is complete, the road must be restored in accordance with technical requirements. Residents should not be left to bear the consequences of work that has not been properly finished,” Victor said.

In response to the various findings and allegations, LP2AD said it would ask the Inspectorate and law enforcement authorities to investigate and examine the drainage project.

“This step is important to establish whether the project was carried out in accordance with the plans, technical specifications and government procurement rules. If violations are found, LP2AD will ask the authorities to follow up in accordance with the law,” Victor said.

He added that the use of public funds must be accompanied by accountability at every stage of a project. The contractor, supervising consultant and relevant agency therefore need to ensure the work is completed in line with requirements and delivers an adequate result for the public.

“I want the examination of this project to clarify the quality of the work, each party’s responsibilities and the remedial steps required, so that this does not happen again in other Jakarta provincial government projects,” Victor added.

Meanwhile, Toni, a resident of RT 02/RW 05 in Pinang Ranti, said the contractor appeared unprofessional in carrying out the drainage work.

Toni said he welcomed the project because Jalan Sumur Jambu is often flooded during heavy rain. However, he regretted that the work had not followed the plans, citing various explanations.

“The work was untidy and left the area looking chaotic and dusty. The road has still not been resurfaced, even though no work has taken place at the site for several weeks and the road is already open to traffic,” Toni said.