People needs decent settlement

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