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Ahok promises to continue restoring river function until end of tenure
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A backhoe removes sediment from the Ciliwung River between Bukit Duri in South Jakarta and Kampung Pulo in East Jakarta. (JP/Dana Wardhana)
J
akarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama has promised to continue restoring the function of rivers in the city by demolishing buildings erected on riverbanks until the end of his tenure in October.
He said he would insist on continue the program because his presumptive successor, Anies Baswedan, had signed political contracts with residents stating that he would not evict them.
"I care for the new governor who has signed political contracts, so I will finish it [river-restoration project]," Ahok said as quoted by tribunnews.com.
Ahok said earlier that river restoration was crucial to mitigating flooding.
During the election campaign period, Anies signed political contracts with a number of residents, including those in Tanah Merah in North Jakarta, Bukit Duri in South Jakarta and with the Jakarta Urban Poor Network, stating his commitment to manage slums instead of demolishing them.
Ciliwung-Cisadane Flood Control Office (BBWSCC) head Teuku Iskandar said officers would continue with the construction of a tunnel in Bidara Cina, which was recently delayed.
"There are 211 families that will be relocated due to this project. Eighty-nine families have already been relocated," Iskandar said.
The restoration program in Bukit Duri will also be continued, in which 246 families will be relocated to low-cost apartments, he said.
Iskandar said he expected the project to be finished by September. (cal)
