REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The government of Jakarta plans to build a giant sea wall to combat floods that hit the city every year during the monsoon, stated Vice Governor Basuki Tjahaja, here on Monday.

"We will cooperate with the central government and private companies in the construction of the giant sea wall. The giant wall is needed to handle floods," Basuki said.

However, the vice governor emphasized the need for a feasibility study before commencing the construction of the wall.

Meanwhile, Deputy Governor for Spatial Planning and Environment Sarwo Handayani predicted that the construction of the giant sea wall will cost approximately Rp300 trillion (US$25 billion).

"It is not possible for the Jakarta Province to bear the entire construction cost of the giant sea wall. Therefore, cooperation from the central government and private sector are required," she clarified.

The Giant Sea Wall project will cover coastal areas from Tanjung Burung in Teluk Naga District in the Tangerang region to Tanjung Priok in North Jakarta.

Jakarta already has the West Flood Canal and the East Flood Canal, but these have not been sufficient to protect the capital city from floods each year.

Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo, better known as Jokowi, recently added that he wanted to advance the start of the giant embankment mega project.

"The construction of the giant sea wall in North Jakarta was originally planned to start in 2020, but I want it to begin by 2015," Jokowi remarked.

He noted that the presence of the giant embankment mega project is very important because it will serve in overcoming the tidal floods that frequently hit villages along the coast of North Jakarta.

"If possible, we should make all the necessary preparations in 2014 to begin the physical construction in the next year. The faster we begin, the better it will be because the giant dam is part of our efforts to save Jakarta from tidal floods," Jokowi stated.

The governor explained that the construction of the giant sea wall will go through meticulous calculations in terms of economic, health and environmental aspects.

"We certainly still have much to calculate and consider, but if we start the process now, I believe the construction will start sooner," he pointed out.

Ikuti Whatsapp Channel Republika