Sloppy work continues to outrage Grogol people

JAKARTA (JP): Residents of Grogol and Jelambar subdistricts in West Jakarta say they would most likely have to put up with damage by construction work for several more months.

Sloppy work on the new drainage system after the completion of the Grogol-Pluit toll road are expected to continually cause muddy roads and overflowing gutters.

Road repairs are yet to begin.

Residents criticized on Saturday the uncaring attitude of Kuk Dong, the South Korean contractor, and that of the firm's local partners including those from the Ministry of Public Works.

"They apologized to residents for inconveniences through the media," Ben Olich, a neighborhood head said.

"They would not reply clearly to our inquiries as to when they will finish construction and deal with the damages," Ben, a retired naval officer said.

"They only said later," he said.

"I asked for the name card of the local project manager and he only wrote 'Agus' on a piece of paper, and hid his name tag," Ben said.

A Korean supervisor told The Jakarta Post the project will be completed as soon as possible before the deadline, scheduled for February next year. The project began last September.

"We have 24 months and we have only worked for 17 months," the Korean who requested anonymity said. He said he was not authorized to give further elaboration.

The Grogol-Pluit elevated toll road was completed last month. The remaining works include the new drainage system, which will be finished within a week, a foreman said.

Kuk Dong has repeatedly been reprimanded by the city's public works agency for damaging the surroundings.

Prawoto S. Danoemihardjo, the city's assistant for development administration, said earlier that the contractor responded better to warnings from the ministry.

Part of the drainage system site, Jl. Makaliwe Raya, was muddy from Friday's brief rain.

"We fear the worst in heavier rains," said resident Fred Tumilisar.

Of responses to residents' complaints, Ben added, "We were told this is a national project, as if the contractor and local partners wanted to scare us."

"We replied that even President Soeharto would not inflict such effects of a project on citizens," Ben said.

Noise, dust from construction work, and the stench from household waste water which residents say can no longer be absorbed by damaged gutters, are other effects of the construction. Heavy construction vehicles ruined the gutters, residents said.

In response to questions about the mud and dirt caused by the construction, another supervisor assured it was only temporary. (anr)