New HI pond in trouble after Rp 14b renovation
New HI pond in trouble after Rp 14b renovation
Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Less than a month after being renovated, the water fountain in
the Hotel Indonesia (HI) traffic circle needs repairing due to
imperfections in its construction, which cost a hefty Rp 14
billion.
The northern and eastern parts of the fountain pool have been
damaged, leaving two piles of rubble on the scene.
"The problem lies in the drainage system, which does not work
well, causing water to overflow into the street," said a
maintenance man at the scene.
Four spotlights were broken after becoming covered in water,
he said.
"Repairs are imperative because the water overflow could put
pedestrians in danger of electrocution," he warned.
He said the pool overflowed when all the water pumps were
operating. "That's why we can only operate two of the five
pumps."
The HI traffic circle is a popular spot for demonstrations.
The renovation of the traffic circle fountain began in March
and was completed in June. It was officially reopened on June 21,
in conjunction with Jakarta's anniversary.
However, Mauritz Napitupulu, head of the City Parks Agency,
revealed that the fountain only underwent minor repairs.
"We only conducted minor repairs on some parts of the pool,
which is still imperfect," Mauritz remarked.
Mauritz blamed the trouble on the underground drainage system,
which is linked to Kali Gresik River to the east and Kebon Kacang
River to the west.
However, Mauritz claimed that "such minor repairs" would be
completed within two weeks.
He said that all of the repair costs were the responsibility
of the contractor, publicly listed construction firm Jaya
Konstruksi, which is partly controlled by businessman Ciputra.
Mauritz said his office estimated that monthly operational
costs amounted to Rp 23 million.
"We need the money for to change the spotlight bulbs, clean
the water fountain of grit and make any changes to the water
fountain system, among other things," he said.
Mauritz brushed off a statement attributed to him in Koran
Tempo claiming that maintenance for the water fountain cost Rp
2.7 billion a year.
The renovation of the HI traffic circle came under the
spotlight not only due to the huge cost, but also for the
controversy it created after it was reported that the renovation
was financed through the exchange of 10 advertising spots in 10
places in the city.
The advertising spots are located on Jl. MT. Haryono and Jl.
Pasar Rebo in East Jakarta; Jl. Rasuna Said and Jl. Kemang Raya,
in South Jakarta; Jl. Tomang Raya, Jl. Panjang and Jl. Arjuna in
West Jakarta, and Jl. Gatot Subroto, Jl. Asia Afrika and Jl. RM.
Margono Margodirejo in Central Jakarta.
The sale of advertising spots is unusual, since it was not
conducted by open tender. The administration argued that
tendering the deal would have taken longer, while funds for the
renovation were urgently needed.