Jakarta (ANTARA) - The inauguration of the Rotiklot Dam in Belu District, East Nusa Tenggara Province, is to be followed by construction of an irrigation system, according to Public Works and Public Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono.
"Construction of the dam would be followed by development of an irrigation system. Hence, the dam, which took a lot of funds to build, is to benefit the public. We can assure the public that water (from the dam) will irrigate farmers' lands," Hadimuljono said on Monday.
President Joko Widodo inaugurated Rotiklot Dam earlier in the day during his visit to Belu District.
Moreover, he said, water has become a key factor for development in East Nusa Tenggara, which receives less rain than other regions in the country.
Data from the ministry showed that Rotiklot Dam is one of 49 new dams built from 2015-2019.
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The dam has the capacity to retain 3.3 million cubic meters of water, and the process to fill the dam with water began in December 2018.
Also, the dam will supply 40 liters per second of clean water for local residents, and will support the operation of Atapupu Port, will irrigate 149 hectares of land, as well as assist tourism.
The dam would also reduce the risk of flooding in Belu District, which only has a three-month period of rain, though it is often accompanied by flooding.
The Rotiklot dam, located along the border area with Timor Leste, was constructed by PT Nindya Karya (Persero) - PT Universal Suryaprima, under a joint operation agreement (KSO), which cost Rp496 billion from the state budget.
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