Around 250 Indonesian Navy personnel have been deployed to carry out the Engineering Civil Assistance Project (Encap) program, under which they will rebuild roads and rehabilitate houses in Nusa Penida, Bali, and Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB).

“The program is part of the 2018 Multilateral Naval Exercise Komodo [MNEK],” the 2018 MNEK Task Force’s Encap deputy coordinator, Lt. Col. Didik Widioko, said on Tuesday.

Didik said in Nusa Penida, the Encap program was conducted through the development of a 3-kilometer long road and the rebuilding of 37 houses. Meanwhile in Lombok, the program was conducted in five districts in North Lombok regency through the development of around 500 m of roads in each district.

“It’s just like a social work program; hence, local people will be involved in this activity,” said Didik.

Under Encap, two 2018 MNEK monuments will also be built in Mataram city and West Lombok regency. The monuments will be in the shape of Russian-made PT-76 amphibian combat tank belonging to the Navy.

It is expected that all Encap programs will be completed and inaugurated by Navy chief of staff Adm. Ade Supandi on May 5. The 2018 MNEK is scheduled to be held on May 4 and 5 in waters off Lembar Port, West Lombok.

As of today, 35 countries have agreed to attend the MNEK.

NTB Tourism Agency head Lalu Mohammad Faozal said his agency was beautifying tourism destinations in Lombok to welcome the event. “MNEK will give a tremendous boost to tourism in NTB,” he added. (srs/ebf)