PRR Task Force Opens Opportunities for Cooperation to Accelerate Flood-Prone River Normalisation
The Chairman of the Post-Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Acceleration Task Force (Satgas PRR) for Sumatra, Muhammad Tito Karnavian, is urging local governments to accelerate recovery efforts, including opening opportunities for cooperation with third parties to handle sedimentation and river normalisation.
According to Tito, involving third parties could serve as a solution to speed up river normalisation, especially for river channels deemed to have a low risk of flooding. This approach would allow local governments to proceed without waiting for all works to be managed by the central government.
“Rivers that are not prone to recurring floods might be better left to local governments, who can then collaborate with third parties. Otherwise, the work will never be completed if it all has to be handled by the central government,” Tito stated in a written statement on Wednesday (10/6/2026).
Tito made these remarks during a Coordination and Evaluation Meeting on the Achievements of Post-Hydrometeorological Disaster Recovery in Aceh, alongside the Governor of Aceh, Muzakir Manaf, and 18 heads of affected regencies and cities in Banda Aceh, on Tuesday (9/6).
Tito noted that the river normalisation process is a long-term endeavour, expected to continue until 2028. Therefore, accelerating progress at the regional level is a crucial step to support regional recovery and revitalise the economic activities of affected communities.
“There is still much to be done. River normalisation could last until 2028. If there are third parties available, then let the third parties handle it,” he added.
Data from the PRR Task Force shows that the river normalisation programme covers 115 locations across three provinces, including Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra. To date, 34 rivers have been reported as completed, while 91 others are still in progress. Regarding estuary normalisation, out of 38 target locations, nine have been completed and 31 are currently being worked on.
Meanwhile, the Governor of Aceh, Muzakir Manaf, emphasised that accelerating the recovery of community economic land must be the top priority in post-hydrometeorological disaster management. He stated that the repair of paddy fields, fish ponds, irrigation, and river normalisation is vital to restoring the livelihoods of thousands of affected residents.
“Everything requires attention. The most urgent issues are paddy fields that cannot yet be used, irrigation, bridges, roads, and fish ponds. This is directly related to the livelihoods of the people in Aceh,” he explained.
He also highlighted the importance of river normalisation to reduce flood risks that frequently disrupt residents’ activities.
“Rivers also need to be repaired so that flooding does not occur again during the rainy season. People living near rivers are always affected. Household goods that have just been replaced are once again damaged by floodwaters,” he concluded.