Robert Go, Jakarta – The Indonesian capital is vulnerable to another bout of severe flooding early next year, top public works officials have warned, pointing out that although about US$10 million has been spent on flood prevention this year, many crucial projects remain unfinished.
Presenting a report to the local parliament, Public Works Department head I.G.K Suwena said that as much as US$20 million more was needed if the government wanted to avoid floods of the type that paralysed Jakarta in February. "We have spent all money that has been given to us on a number of flood-control initiatives. Without additional funds, it would be impossible for us to complete all the planned projects," he said.
Mr Suwena said that most waterways around low-lying areas of Jakarta needed to be dredged and cleaned, while a number of floodgates, pumps and other mechanical flood control devices had to be replaced or repaired.
The city is supposed to spend about US$30 million this year, but only about US$10 million was actually transferred to public works accounts.
As well as the lack of funds, officials face another problem as they try to shore up Jakarta's defences – opposition from residents who live near the city's 13 rivers.
According to Mr Fodly Misbach, the second-in-charge at the Public Works Department, thousands of poor residents have refused to move or have demanded steep compensation before moving.
With their access blocked, workers have been prevented from cleaning the rivers.
For instance, nearly 2,000 families have set up semi-permanent housing around canals in Pluit, North Jakarta, and have refused to budge, even though the waterway is in dire need of cleaning and the area was among the worst hit in this year's flooding.
"Without cooperation from the people, the city cannot do much to make sure that there won't be a repeat of this year's disaster," he said.
Flooding is a yearly occurrence in densely populated Jakarta, but this year's episode has been rated one of the worst ever. Water as deep as three metres drove about 350,000 people out of their homes, leaving them at the mercy of diseases such as diarrhoea and flu.
Food shortages occurred in various parts of the city as delivery trucks could not make their way through the flood. Business activities were disrupted as the rising water blocked employees' access to their offices.
A five-star hotel remains closed to this day after its lower levers were submerged completely, causing heavy damage to its electrical systems. Flood damage claims amounted to more than US$20 million, said insurance industry experts.
The government had said previously that as much as US$1.5 billion would be needed in the next 10 years to fix Jakarta's flood-control system.
According to non-governmental organisations and critics, corruption and incompetence on the part of the city's bureaucrats are factors in the yearly floods.