PALEMBANG, GESAHKITA COM—Representatives of the Australian Embassy visited Palembang City Government, Friday (15/10/2021). Counselor for Economic Governance and Infrastructure at the Australian Embassy, James M Gilbert, said that they came to find out the progress of the construction of the Selayur Wastewater Treatment Plant (IPAL) in Kalidoni Sub District.
This IPAL program is an Australian government grant assistance to the Palembang City Government. The Australian government provided a grant of $45 million or around Rp 500 billion.
The Selayur WWTP project requires a total fund of IDR 1.2 trillion and is planned for 22,000 household connections.
“Yes, we are here to find out information regarding the construction of IPAL in Palembang City. This IPAL is very important, especially for the environment and public health of Palembang City,” said James, who came with four representatives of the Australian Embassy.
The Mayor of Palembang, Harnojoyo, said that the progress of the construction of the WTP with a fund of Rp 500 billion in Palembang City has been running at 30 percent.
“We would like to thank the Australian Embassy for the grant funds. And for the support of all parties and this project has been running with our expectations,” said Harnojoyo.
He also mentioned that the development of IPAL grants from the Australian Government will cover all household wastewater, laundry channels, bathrooms, sanitation, and others that are included in urban-scale wastewater management.
Head of the Palembang City PUPR Service, Ahmad Bastari Yusak, said that the Sei Selayur WWTP is targeted to be completed in early 2023 and operational in the middle of the year.
“And the Palembang City Government office became the first customer,” said Bastari.
Before Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, Paul Grigson begins his visit to Palembang, South Sumatra by November 2017 and met local leaders, university students and Australian alumni as written in Media Release, officials Australia Embassy Jakarta Indonesia.
The Ambassador also joined Governor of South Sumatra, Alex Noerdin and Mayor of Palembang, Harnojoyo for a ground-breaking ceremony to mark the start of construction on the new Palembang City Waste Water Treatment Plant.
The plant will be jointly funded by Australia and Indonesia and has a total value of IDR1.2 trillion.
“The treatment works will make a real difference to the lives of thousands of families in Palembang and will demonstrate a more sustainable way of planning, budgeting, building and maintaining sanitation infrastructure which should be replicated in cities across Indonesia,” Ambassador Grigson said.
“Our partnership supports the Government of Indonesia’s goal for all households to have access to clean water and basic sanitation by 2019,” he said.
The project will initially provide sewerage connections to 12,000 households and businesses. Around 60,000 people in Palembang City will directly benefit from the project, and a future expansion could increase service coverage to over 21,000 connections and 100,000 people.
“Australian companies can help bring expertise and capital to key sectors of the economy that Indonesia is trying to develop further and make real contributions to employment, incomes and economic growth in Indonesia. The Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA) is an opportunity to make that change,” he said. (red)
