Public Works Minister Supports Temporary Housing and Bridge Repairs in Sigi

Public Works Minister Dody Hanggodo has confirmed readiness to support the construction of public facilities such as temporary housing (huntara) and the repair of bridges damaged by the earthquake in Sigi Regency, Central Sulawesi. “If the local government deems it necessary to build huntara, please communicate with BNPB and subsequently hand it over to us,” the minister told reporters in Sigi on Sunday. He explained that his ministry constructs temporary housing based on directives from the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB). “The Ministry of Public Works always builds huntara under BNPB’s direction; if needed, we will step in to carry out the construction,” he said. However, as of now, the ministry has not received any information from the local government or BNPB regarding the construction of temporary housing for residents affected by the earthquake. “Usually, BNPB builds the huntara first; if they need support, we will provide it for the construction,” he stated. According to the minister, the local government has declared a 14-day emergency response status, effective from 17 to 30 June 2026. Dody has also instructed the Central Sulawesi National Road Implementation Agency (BPJN) to conduct a thorough technical inspection of the condition and reliability of roads and bridges, even if they do not appear to have suffered severe damage in Sigi Regency. “Earlier, I stood on the Posu Nokilalaki Bridge, and when a vehicle passed, vibrations were felt. This kind of thing must be followed up immediately with a technical inspection so that the public can be assured that the infrastructure they use daily is truly safe,” he said. He noted that infrastructure reliability is not only a technical matter but also concerns the public’s sense of safety. “Cracked roads, bridges that feel shaky, or disrupted basic services may seem minor, but for the community, they are very important because they directly affect their activities and sense of security. Therefore, I ask Ministry of Public Works personnel not only to look at visible damage but also to identify potential risks that could cause public concern,” he said. The minister also instructed the Sulawesi III River Basin Agency (BWS) to conduct further surveys to determine the actual conditions in upstream areas, including possible measures for water flow control if necessary.