North Sumatra Governor: Accelerate post-disaster reconstruction in Central Tapanuli
Medan (ANTARA) - North Sumatra Governor Bobby Nasution has requested relevant parties to accelerate post-disaster reconstruction in Central Tapanuli Regency.
He discussed the acceleration, such as the construction of the Badiri River embankment in Badiri Subdistrict, Central Tapanuli, as an effort to speed up reconstruction following the hydrometeorological disaster at the end of November 2024.
“I request that this (Badiri River embankment) be built as soon as possible, because the budget is already available. Don’t take too long. Immediately carry out the embankment stabilisation,” he said in Central Tapanuli on Monday.
He, along with Central Tapanuli Regent Masinton Pasaribu and leaders of North Sumatra Provincial Government agencies, monitored the Badiri River embankment construction process.
“Our presence aims to ensure that the work proceeds according to plan, while also identifying on-site obstacles given the high intensity of rain,” he stated.
He emphasised the importance of anticipating field challenges because the major flood at the end of last November damaged the embankment’s stone fill.
“I ask the community for their support. So, if anyone enters to work on the embankment, it can be assisted to run smoothly,” he said.
He explained that the Ministry of Public Works has also requested that the Badiri River flow in Central Tapanuli be temporarily diverted so that the embankment construction can proceed smoothly.
He and his entourage also inspected the bailey bridge construction by the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), which was seen preparing iron materials.
He hopes that the embankment and bridge construction will proceed in tandem to support community access, especially to agricultural areas.
“But remember, in this area (riverbank), if it enters the red zone, you must not reside here, ladies and gentlemen. If it’s for activities, please do so. For housing, we are ready to help. Building houses (severely damaged ones) is allowed, and we can also prepare the land,” he said.
Darmi Sihombing (45), a resident of Lubukampolu Village, Badiri Subdistrict, expressed concern about the current weather conditions in the local area.
She mentioned that high rainfall intensity can cause the Badiri River’s water discharge to increase drastically in a short time.
“This condition further complicates residents’ activities in crossing the river to their fields, after the bridge was swept away by the flood at the end of November 2024,” she said.