Ridwan Max Sijabat, Jakarta – A new study recommends transferring the job of rebuilding Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam to the incoming provincial administration, in order to bypass problems in the current reconstruction programs.

The study conducted in August and September by Jakarta-based environment watchdog Greenomics found that the Aceh and Nias Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Agency (BRR) and the central government have contributed to the slow pace of reconstruction.

"To cut off bureaucratic hindrances from Jakarta and avoid internal ones at the BRR, the government should trust the new Aceh administration to do the rehabilitation and reconstruction work. The BRR will play its role as a coordinating body and policy maker while the Aceh administration will be fully accountable for all work in the field," Greenomics executive director Elfian Effendi said here Thursday.

Effendi argued the transfer of authority is allowed by the 2005 law on rehabilitation and reconstruction in Aceh.

"It is better for the government and the BRR to prepare a smooth transition... so that the reconstruction work will be fully taken over by the new Aceh government" after local elections in December, he said, adding that this issue has been discussed with BRR chairman Kuntoro Mangkusubroto and the current Aceh provincial administration.

The study found mismanagement and corrupt practices were the two main problems at the BRR, while the central government failed to work smoothly with the agency and the Aceh administration to speed the pace of reconstruction.

Indonesian Corruption Watch (ICW) recently released a report detailing alleged corruption in BRR projects. Aceh prosecutors have declared two BRR staffers suspects in a graft case connected to the publication of a book by the agency.

According to the study, 60 percent of the major obstacles to progress derived from the BRR and the central government.

"BRR is not a super-body and Kuntoro is not a superman. This has been evidenced by the agency's failure to achieve its targets and by his inability to control the agency," Elfian said.

Greenomics was optimistic that the reconstruction work would win full support from the Acehnese people under the new provincial administration.

Major obstacles in Aceh reconstruction work:

1. The central government:

• Failure to rule on land appropriation, logistical supply, tax and spatial zoning
• Lack of flexibility in budget disbursement -Lack of policy on wood supply for housing construction
• Poor awareness of conditions

2. BRR:

• Slow planning and execution
• Slow policy and decision-making process
• Failure to reach targets
• Weak database on aid recipients
• Poor coordination with Aceh government
• Overly centralized and bureaucratic structure
• Absence of permanent work system
• Lack of professionalism
• Ineffective internal control mechanisms
• Corruption

3. International donors:

• Overly bureaucratic aid disbursement
• High overhead
• Slow planning and execution
• Lower level of commitment
• Insufficient familiarity with Indonesian rules