Jakarta Governor, Basuki “Ahok” T Purnama is opening the Regional Development Planning Forum (Musrenbang) in the office of North Jakarta Administration, Wednesday (4/1). From several programs that are formulated, the flood prevention is still a top program in the city.

It's okay if anyone mocks me because this is for New Jakarta

Ahok hoped Jakartans could understand the government programs, like flood prevention that consists of river re-function and normalization. This is because it has an impact on building demolishment, including citizen houses.

“I apologize for the demolishment regarding construction of Sea Wall Giant or known as North Coastal Integrated Defense (NCID). It's okay if anyone mocks me because this is for New Jakarta,” he expressed, Wednesday (4/1).

He added the construction and normalization of the dam as flood handling is also prioritized. He plans to encourage the developers to complete their obligation in dam provision.

Meanwhile, North Jakarta Mayor, Rustam Effendi revealed that around 2,875 proposed programs that spend Rp 2,589,970,763,363 trillion is discussed in the forum that held today until Thursday (4/2) tomorrow. The forum results would then be submitted to the city administration. He furthered, several prioritized programs in North Jakarta is flood handling. Besides trash problem, the One Stop Services (PTSP), road infrastructure and health are also the focus of development in North Jakarta.

In addition, many sheet piles and dams that pass North Jakarta are unoptimal to accommodate the water when the water debit is high. The reason, is only three canals are in good condition namely East Flood Canal (KBT), West Flood Canal (KBB), and Cakung Drain. As for the other rivers, are not yet having sheet pile. Similar condition is also spotted in connecting channel and micro channel, especially the channel on the west side.

“Most of our pumps are old and must be rejuvenated. Besides flood, tidal wave is also one of the main problems," he stressed.

Regarding tidal wave handling, he disclosed the dam construction along the coast should be accelerated. Therefore, it is expected to resist the entry of water from the sea to the land.