NGO critics councillors in road repair

NGO critics councillors in road repair

BEKASI: A non-governmental organization chairman, Benny
Tunggul, criticized some Bekasi councillors -- many of whom have
close connections with road contractors -- by accusing them of a
conflict of interest and collusion for directly bidding on or
lobbying for road repair contracts in the city located east of
Jakarta.

"It's a shame that councillors have the heart to do that," he
said as quoted by Antara.

A number of roads in Bekasi have been severely damaged due to
flooding, garbage and overuse, in addition to poor quality
construction, and are hazardous to motorists and pedestrians
alike.

The damaged roads include Jl. Raya Jatiwaringin, Jl. Hankam,
Jl. Pekayon, Jl. Kalimalang and Jl. Raya Narogong.

With the 2002 city budget amounting to Rp 435.9 billion
(US$43.59 million), the municipal administration should have been
able to repair the damaged roads already, Benny added,
insinuating a bit of foul play possibly at work.

Head of Bekasi Public Works Agency, Tjandra Utama Effendi,
said his office would receive Rp 22 billion from the city budget
for the repair projects. -- JP