As an alternative to minimize the impact of the rainy season, the Jakarta Provincial Government is set to soon build sheet piles at Pesanggrahan River, Kembangan Selatan Urban Village, West Jakarta.

Residents also have to understand and support us

Jakarta Acting Governor, Heru Budi Hartono explained the sheet piles would have 1,400 meters long to overcome inundation on Jalan Briti and Kedoya Selatan Urban Village.

"The channel that we saved is in accordance with the existing one, namely the east side of 795 meters and the west side of 605 meters, thus the area on the river side up to the red light can be reduced from the impact of the rainy season until traffic jams during the rainy season," he expressed, as quoted by Jakarta PPID's press release, Thursday (1/19).

He even wanted residents to support the work as it would take a year.

"Residents also have to understand and support us. Because there are also several buildings that are affected (the impact of the rainy season)," he expressed.

Jakarta Development Assistant, Afan Adriyansyah added sheet pile construction is a program focused on by the Acting Governor.

"For Western flow needs to be completed as well. We hope this year's project can minimize inundation on Jalan Briti and in Kembangan Selatan Village, as well as at Puri Intersection," he explained.

Then Jakarta Water Resources (SDA) Agency Head, Yusmada Faizal stated that it is a joint commitment as part of efforts to normalize 13 rivers.

"Especially, there are five big rivers, namely Pesanggrahan, Angke, Sunter, Ciliwung, and Jati Keramat. This is in accordance with President Joko Widodo's commitment. One of the efforts is to strengthen river embankments. Either with sheet construction piles and gabions. Now, it is in the auction stage and if it goes well in March or April it will be done," he explained.

The government's efforts were welcomed by residents. They are willing to follow a series of plots of regional planning, thus the place where they live is no longer flooded. It was conveyed by Juki, a resident of RT 05/09 Kembangan Selatan Urban Village during the Acting Governor's visit.

"We are very touched, we have only visited our governor for the first time. Thank God, because we residents want it tidied up this time. We residents just follow the government's recommendations. We're happy, touched, sad, as I am too happy. Our current governor visited us, I am very grateful. Hope it will be realized quickly and tidied up," he admitted.