`River transportation will only benefit officials'

`River transportation will only benefit officials'

The city administration's idea to set up a river transportation
system has received mixed reactions. Many people consider the
idea foolish and laughable. The Jakarta Post asked more people
their views on the matter.

Hasyim, 40, is a street artist on Jl. Gajah Mada, West
Jakarta. He lives on Jl. Pasar Ikan, North Jakarta, with his wife
and four children:

The idea is impossible. It's absurd and unrealistic.

Most rivers in the city are not meant for transportation.

The water is dirty and I'm sure people still have the bad
habit of dumping garbage recklessly in the rivers.

There are too many problems the administration has to face.
It's useless to run the project as it will cost billions of
rupiah and yield no results. It won't help ease the traffic
problems either.

It's far better to build toll roads or bypass roads to ease
the traffic congestion from Blok M to Kota.

On the other hand, I just wonder why the administration does
not try to find a solution to the problems of the people in the
low-income bracket.

It's clear that the administration officials only think of
making money for their own benefit in the name of public
services.

Abdul, not his real name, 59, sells newspapers at Kota railway
station in West Jakarta. He lives on Jl. Pasar Ikan, North
Jakarta, with his wife and two children:

The idea is nonsensical. People don't need such a project,
which will need a huge investment.

We can see the real condition of rivers in the city. The water
is black, dirty, smelly and stagnant. How could such rivers be
used for transportation? It's unfeasible.

Why don't the administration officials better manage traffic
in the city before discussing other solutions?

Perhaps they have run out of ideas how to make money so they
have thought up this crazy idea, which will be profitable for
them.

It will only be another way to fill out their budget forms so
the city can spend the money. It's common practice among
officials.

Suwarno, 36, is an ojek (motorcycle taxi) driver in Ancol,
North Jakarta. He lives in Pinangsia, West Jakarta with his
friends. His wife and five children resides in Sragen, Central
Java:

If the project materializes, it could be another alternative
to solve transportation problems in the city.

I don't know about the Ciliwung River but I can see that there
are many squatters living in houses on stilts along the river
banks.

If the rivers have less bends, it'll be OK. But in Ancol there
are fewer problems, I guess.

I often see military officers using boats along the river for
military exercises.

However, I wonder how much money will be needed to raise the
bridges crossing the many rivers in the city.

I think it won't be that easy to prepare the rivers for the
project.

I don't really care about it. It has nothing to do with the
lives of the poor. What is more important for us is survival. The
project won't improve our lives, it will only benefit the
officials.

-- Leo Wahyudi S.