Riau govt to build 440 security posts

PEKANBARU, Riau: Riau provincial administration will build and renovate 440 neighborhood security posts in its 16 regencies/mayoralties to help strengthen security in the province.

The construction and renovation of the posts will cost the provincial administration Rp 7 billion (US$823,529).

Agus Ramadhan, the head of the Community's Empowerment and Protection Office at the administration, said that the project would be immediately put to tender.

"The Rp 7 billion fund will be used to build the posts and to procure patrol equipment, including walky-talkies and kentungans (drum made from bamboo or wood, which is struck to sound an alarm).

Agus said that the new security posts would be built in several areas prone to crime, including Pekanbaru and Batam mayoralty. -- Antara