PRR Task Force Opens Third-Party Cooperation Opportunities to Accelerate River Normalisation

The Chairman of the Post-Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Acceleration Task Force (Satgas PRR) for Sumatra, Muhammad Tito Karnavian, has urged local governments to accelerate various recovery measures, including opening opportunities for cooperation with third parties to handle sedimentation and river normalisation.

Tito made these remarks during a Coordination and Evaluation Meeting on the Achievements of Post-Hydrometeorological Disaster Recovery in Aceh, held alongside the Governor of Aceh, Muzakir Manaf, and 18 heads of affected regencies and cities in Banda Aceh on Tuesday (9/6/2026).

According to Tito, involving third parties could serve as a solution to speed up river normalisation, particularly for river channels deemed to have a low risk of flooding. This approach would allow local governments to act without having to wait for all works to be managed by the central government.

“Rivers that are not prone to flooding may be better left to local governments, which can then cooperate with third parties. Otherwise, the work will not be completed if everything must be handled by the central government,” Tito stated on Wednesday, 10 June 2026.

Tito noted that the river normalisation process is a long-term endeavour, estimated to continue until 2028. Therefore, acceleration 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 Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra. To date, 34 rivers have been 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,” said Muzakir, affectionately known as Mualem.