People needs decent settlement

Exactly a year ago in November 2004 the government Integrated Team announced that Buyat Bay was heavily polluted and that the community living there was to be relocated.

After the announcement no follow-up measures were taken by the government, be it the central government or the provincial authority. The provincial government was opposed to the findings of the Integrated Team and its recommendations. Finally, in June 2005 as many as 73 family heads from Buyat Bay prepared to relocate from the site without state support.

At present the former Buyat Bay inhabitants reside in a temporary resettlement in Duminanga village, Bolaang Mongondow regency, some two hours journey from their old homes.

They live in a makeshift barracks without sufficient facilities. The village is extremely dark during the night. The contract for the rented land expired in October but was extended to November this year.

For three months after the relocation, the Buyat community received material and accommodation support from several social organizations and individuals. Periodical medical care was received from Mer-C, an organization run by medical volunteers.

However, the support from these organizations grouped in the Humanitarian Committee for Buyat Bay (KKTB) could not last long and all the funds available to the KKTB were used up in the third month of the relocation. The government, meanwhile, has done nothing for the Buyat Bay community as far as the relocation program is concerned.

The Environment Ministry had earmarked billions of rupiah in the state budget for the Buyat Bay community relocation. The funds could be used for building decent houses and for helping fishermen improve their catches. There has been no explanation of what has happened to this money.

In the present conditions, Buyat Bay people are hostages to their temporary resettlement. They are increasingly hard up and frustrated.

We have received a letter from the Buyat Bay community stating that they are desperately waiting for real action from the provincial government to help them. They pray for any assistance from any party. What is behind the unsympathetic attitude of the regional government?

P. RAJA SIREGAR, WALHI Researcher, Ex-TTKB member, Jakarta