Sarwono wants environmental report

MANADO, N. Sulawesi: State Minister of Environment Sarwono Kusumaatmadja has asked Governor E.E. Mangindaan for the completion of an environmental impact analysis prior to the development of a 350-hectare coastal reclamation project here.

Spokesman for the provincial administration David Bobihoe Akib told Antara Thursday that in a letter dated Oct. 15, 1997, Sarwono said a previous analysis submitted was incomplete.

Akib claimed the earlier analysis had been conducted in accordance to existing procedures, involving a joint team of analysts from Manado municipality, North Sulawesi province, and the Environmental Impact Management Agency.

In response, Governor Mangindaan decided to assign an environmental impact analysis team to complete the second analysis within one week.

But despite the letter, the local administration will go-ahead with the plan to reclaim the coast which stretches from Titiwungen Village to Malalayang Village.

The project involves four private companies -- PT Megasurya Nusalestari, PT Multi Cipta Perkasa Utama, PT Bahu Cipta Persada, and PT Papetra Perkasa. (swe)