Nagekeo Infrastructure Recovery Accelerated, Public Facilities Prioritised

The recovery of infrastructure and public facilities following the earthquake in Nagekeo Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), is being urged to be accelerated. Repairs are needed so that basic public services can return to normal.

Member of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) Bambang Haryo Soekartono said the government needs to speed up the restoration of public facilities damaged by the earthquake, ranging from schools, hospitals, places of worship, roads, ports, to residential housing.

“So many public facilities have suffered damage. There is a need for accelerated recovery by the government to repair facilities, especially schools, hospitals, places of worship, road infrastructure, ports, and residential housing,” said Bambang during a meeting with the Regent of Nagekeo, BNPB, the District Military Commander, and the Ministry of Defence at the Main Earthquake Command Post in Nagekeo Regency on Monday (24/8).

According to Bambang, the government’s handling together with BNPB, the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), the Indonesian National Police (Polri), and related elements has helped restore the condition of affected communities. A number of road accesses that were previously disrupted have also been made passable again.

“We appreciate BNPB for having moved quickly, including the TNI and Polri who have been extraordinary in helping so that road access has been restored. However, the next task is to ensure that other damaged public facilities are repaired immediately,” he said.

In addition to infrastructure recovery, the handling of affected residents includes health services, public kitchens, trauma healing, and support for the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme.

Bambang said he would bring the aspirations of the Nagekeo Regency Government to the DPR RI to be followed up with relevant ministries and institutions. Ministries to be coordinated include the Ministry of Public Works, the Ministry of Transportation, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs.

One infrastructure asset of concern is the Marapokot jetty. Bambang inspected the condition of the jetty together with the Regent of Nagekeo and urged the Directorate General of Sea Transportation and PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry to accelerate its restoration.

According to him, restoring the jetty is important to maintain the smooth mobility of residents as well as the distribution of logistics to and from Nagekeo.

“The government must immediately complete the repair of public facilities and residential housing within a short time,” he said.

Bambang also highlighted the damage to Maumere Terminal, which suffered severe damage. He urged a thorough structural inspection involving construction researchers from the Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS).

According to him, the damage analysis must be carried out objectively and not solely attributed to the earthquake. Soil conditions, foundations, and the position of the building relative to the retaining wall also need to be examined.

“We must conduct a thorough investigation. Looking at the position of the terminal’s foundation structure, it is very close to the retaining wall, with a distance of no more than two metres,” he said.

He noted that this condition could potentially affect the soil structure on which the terminal’s foundation stands. A technical evaluation is needed to determine the factors that caused the damage.

Amid the recovery process, support from the business community has also been provided to affected residents. PT Dharma Lautan Utama, together with its partners, distributed approximately 60 tonnes of aid transported using 12 trucks. The aid consisted of basic necessities and various supplies for residents during the emergency response period.

Bambang, together with PT DLU, also visited evacuees at Danga Field and Marapokot Field. Around 3,500 residents are located at the two sites. Staple food and basic necessities were then distributed to communities in three villages around the evacuation sites.

“Thank you and high appreciation to PT DLU and its partners who have helped as a form of business community concern for communities affected by the disaster,” said Bambang.

He assessed that collaboration between the government, TNI-Polri, the business community, and the public is key to accelerating recovery. The government is urged to ensure that repairs to public facilities and residential housing are carried out quickly, measurably, and in accordance with safety standards.