Regency takes over road repair work

TANGERANG: Tangerang regental administration will take over the construction of Jl. Raya Pasar Kemis from a developer following the latter's failure to repair a five-kilometer section of damaged road.

Regent Ismet Iskandar said on Friday that the developer had collected funds from companies for the road's construction but had failed to see the project through. Pasar Kemis is home to dozens of the regency's major industries.

Councillor Nawawi Syahroni of Commission C overseeing transportation said poor maintenance had contributed to the deterioration of the road's condition.

"We fear residents will block the road, maybe on Dec. 1, as we have received a threat of that nature," he said, adding that residents of Curug and Cikupa had blocked roads in those districts.

Nawawi also questioned the administration's decision to appoint the developer to maintain the road.

Tangerang Development Planning Body (Bappeda) head Maryoso said the administration had planned to repair some 50 kilometers of damaged roads, connecting Kosambi, Teluk Naga, Pakuhaji, Sukadiri, Mauk and Kronjo districts, in January.

The project would be financed by a Rp 100 billion (US$11.11 million) loan from Bank Jabar, he said. -- JP