JAKARTA. Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama has blamed a dredging project initiated by the Public Works Ministry as the trigger for a flood that brought parts of North Jakarta to a standstill on Friday.

“There was a 215-meter long embankment that was destroyed by a contractor to make way for heavy equipment. They have rebuilt the embankment, but there was a 35-meter-long section that was still open,” Ahok said on Monday at City Hall. He was referring to private contractors carrying out a dredging project on the Sunter River in North Jakarta, led by the Ciliwung-Cisadane Flood Control Office (BBWSCC) that operates under the aegis of the Public Works Ministry.

Ahok said he had filed a complaint with the body regarding the situation. “I told them, it does not make sense to destroy an embankment for a project, particularly in the rainy season. It’s ridiculous,” he added.

Program NHM Peduli Sukses Pulihkan Akses Air Bersih di Kao Barat

The Governor, however, said he had received a negative response from the contractor.

“They refused to admit it, saying that they needed to do it to make way for dredgers. This is the third time that they’ve done such a thing, so it’s not just me jumping to conclusions,” Ahok said, adding that he had also reported the case to Public Works and Public Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono.

“I have texted the minister. I told him ‘your contractor is such a jerk’!” Ahok said.

“I received a positive response from the minister, who said he had instructed his subordinates to fix the problem,” Ahok said.

To prevent the problem from reoccurring, Ahok said he had warned private developers working in other areas.

“The Asin River is also prone to such problems. I have asked private developer Green Bay to install water pumps in Muara Angke [North Jakarta],” he said.

Meteorologists have forecasted that the peak of the rainy season will hit Greater Jakarta sometime between the end of January and February.

The Governor said that dysfunctional pumps had been repaired in anticipation of the heavy rains. “The existing pumps are functioning. We are installing two other pumps in Sentiong Sunter [North Jakarta] and Muara Karang [North Jakarta],” he said.

When asked about preparations ahead of the peak of the rainy season, he said, “let’s pray that all embankments can stand the water — that’s our only hope, because the expansion of embankment type A [off the capital’s north coast] is currently ongoing,” he said.

Several parts of Jakarta were inundated by floodwater of varying depths on Friday after incessant rains lashed Greater Jakarta beginning Thursday night.

The Jakarta Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) reported that North Jakarta suffered the worst flooding.

Thirty-six areas in five municipalities were inundated; 25 spots in North Jakarta, three in East Jakarta, three in South Jakarta, four in West Jakarta and one in Central Jakarta. The worst flooding occurred in North Jakarta’s Rawa Binangun in Rawa Badak Utara, with floodwater reaching 1 meter in depth.

Flood prevention is oft mentioned as a priority issue for the city administration.

Water Resources Agency head Agus Suradika said the city had allocated Rp 2.7 trillion for flood-related projects in 2015 alone.

“We are focusing on key areas; Trisakti [University] in West Jakarta, Kebon Baru [Central Jakarta], Bidara Cina [East Jakarta], Mampang [South Jakarta]. Other areas include Kelapa Gading [North Jakarta] and Cawang [East Jakarta]. The allocation will be dedicated for these areas,” he said.

Meanwhile, the highways agency head, Yusmada Faizal, said his agency would target some 200 sections of road across the capital that were prone to flooding. (Sita W Dewi)