NTT asks more funds to reconstruct Alor

KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: The provincial government complained on Thursday it lacked funds to rebuild houses and public facilities ravaged by last month's earthquake on Alor island, which killed 23 people.

The local administration had received only Rp 60 billion (US$6.6 million) from the central government to rebuild 1,300 houses, 28 school buildings, irrigation and clean water facilities, NTT public works office head Piet Djami Rebo said.

"More than 5,000 houses were severely damaged, but the central government allocated fund for only 1,300 homes, so we need more money to rebuild 2,700 other houses," he added.

Alor Regent Ans Takalapeta had earlier estimated that the destruction caused by the tectonic quake cost up to Rp 160 billion. --JP