Residents told to repair road

BOGOR (JP): Residents suffering from a damaged main road for years have been told to repair it themselves.

Basit, a local spokesman of the Kedung Jaya sub-district, said residents should repair the Jl. Cimanggu-Pahlawan road themselves because repairs are not included in the town budget.

"This is because the area was included in the municipality on April 1, while all development programs covered by the budget were closed on March 11," he said.

The 300-meter road is vital for residents as it connects the town center with their residential area and housing complexes mushrooming around the area.

"In the dry season, the road is full of dust, and during the rainy season it turns into a big muddy pool," Jaenudin, an ice vendor, told The Jakarta Post recently.

His complaint was shared by another vendor, Maemunah, who said that the dust was unbearable.

"There are many vehicles on the narrow and damaged road. The vehicles are forced to move at a snail's pace on the five-meter- wide street, or they'll collide," Maemunah said.

"The traffic comes to a total standstill when only one car is stalled."

Stones and big potholes are also problems along the road.

The drainage system is also poor because the gutters are small and narrow, and overflow when rain falls. (21/bas)