Pattimura Military Command Temporarily Halts Construction on the Waitomu River
AMBON (ANTARA) – Kodam XV/Pattimura has temporarily halted construction of a bridge in the Waitomu River area of Ambon, Maluku, until all required permits have been obtained. The move is intended to protect the condition and function of the river and ensure the project benefits the public.
Pattimura Military Commander Major General Dody Triwinarto said in Ambon on Thursday that the temporary suspension followed discussions with stakeholders to ensure construction complied with applicable laws and procedures.
“Construction of the bridge will be temporarily halted until the required permits have been obtained,” he said at a focus group discussion on the development and use of the Waitomu River, held at Pattimura Military Command headquarters in Ambon.
He said the issue would be resolved in coordination with the relevant authorities, taking into account technical requirements, safety, the environment and benefits to the public.
The discussion involved the Ambon municipal government, the Maluku River Basin Agency (BWS Maluku), academics, security officials, community leaders and other relevant stakeholders.
At the forum, Pattimura Military Command’s expert staff chief, Brigadier General Julius Jolly Suawa, outlined the background, procedures and progress of plans to build a car park and a centre for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the Waitomu River area.
Julius said the project’s environmental documents had been issued by the Environmental and Waste Management Agency (DLHP). However, other permits still needed to be addressed as part of the construction process.
He said the design did not include pillars in the middle of the river, in order to preserve its condition and flow.
The project is being funded by public donations, rather than the state budget (APBN) or government grants, he added.
Acting head of BWS Maluku Ruslan Malik presented technical aspects of the construction, including the agency’s jurisdiction, the correspondence timeline and the findings of assessments covering administration, hydraulics, safety and river function.
The assessments are important to ensure the proposed area development does not disrupt the river’s function and continues to safeguard public safety.
Ambon Mayor Bodewin M. Wattimena said he supported plans to develop the Waitomu River area, provided they complied with regulations and did not harm the river environment.
He stressed the need to coordinate the work of Kodam XV/Pattimura, the local government and the Ministry of Public Works to resolve the issue.
Abraham Tualessy, head of environmental studies at Pattimura University, said development of a public space in the area should be supported by environmental documents appropriate to the project’s classification, while preserving the river’s function and creating opportunities for local MSMEs.
The forum provided an opportunity to align stakeholders’ understanding of plans for the Waitomu River area. Its conclusions were recorded in minutes signed by participants.