North Sumatra Governor: SMKN 1 Gido relocation construction to be completed by November

North Sumatra Governor Bobby Nasution is targeting the completion of the first phase of the SMK Negeri 1 Gido relocation project in Nias Regency by November 2026. Once finished, the new facility can be immediately utilised to support teaching and learning activities by the middle of the 2026/2027 academic year. “The current school building is on wetland; it floods with just a little rain and there is a river mouth nearby. There have been reports of crocodile sightings, so it is dangerous. That is why we are moving it here,” said Bobby after inspecting the relocation site for SMK Negeri 1 Gido in Nias Regency on Thursday. The Governor noted that the school, which specialises in freshwater fishery agribusiness, has received full support from the local community. The existing SMK Negeri 1 Gido on Pantai Somi road in Somi Village has frequently been inundated by floods and suffers from inadequate facilities. “We did not have to procure land. Mr Faonasekhi Lawolo donated two hectares, and we are very grateful,” Bobby stated, accompanied by Nias Regent Yaatulo Gulo. For the first phase, the Governor detailed that the facilities to be constructed include a headmaster’s office, a practical workshop, two classrooms, toilets, a water tower, and a bore well. Supporting amenities such as a podium, parking area, internal school roads, fencing, and other facilities will also be built. Regarding access to the school, the North Sumatra Provincial Government has granted a budget of Rp5 billion to the Nias Regency Government for road construction. “Once completed, it can be used immediately. As for the road leading here, we have granted Rp5 billion to the regency, so the regency will build the road,” Bobby said. On the occasion, the Governor also awarded scholarships to three SMK Negeri 1 Gido students to continue their education at university. “Wherever you want to study, we will help with scholarships. Take down their names, Head of the Education Office,” Bobby instructed. Faonasekhi Lawolo, the land donor, expressed his happiness at being able to contribute to the school’s development in his village. He hopes the new SMK Negeri 1 Gido will produce a generation capable of advancing the region. “Hopefully our children and grandchildren will be able to experience this school. The better it is, the smarter they will become. They can help our village progress and make our village proud,” said Faonasekhi. Student Fani Putri Zelani Gulo welcomed the construction of the new school. She explained that the current school conditions frequently disrupt daily learning. “When it rains, it floods. The floor is waterlogged, the roof leaks, so we cannot study. Then the fish in our laboratory ponds are swept away by the flood, and we have to restart the fish breeding process,” she said.