Serang dump a new site for Jakarta garbage

Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Banten

Serang regency in Banten, about two hours east of the capital, is planning to build a new garbage dump in Bojong Menteng, Tanjung Teja district.

Deputy regent Andy Sujadi said Tuesday the dump was designed to accommodate more than 6,000 tons of Jakarta's waste per day.

"We're opening our door to Jakarta's garbage... as long as there's compensation to the region from the Jakarta administration."

Andy explained that the 119.5 hectare dump site will apply a sanitary landfill system that will separate organic and non-organic waste.

The dump, which will be located next to the railway connecting Merak and Jakarta, will produce fertilizer and other products. The processing will be handled by local residents.

"We certainly hope the final dump site will open job opportunities. (We also hope) the application of the sanitary landfill system will be able to minimize environment impacts," Andy said.

Ubaidillah Kabier, the chairman of Commission B at the regency's legislative council, which handles environmental issues, said the council had no objections to the administration's plan to accommodate Jakarta's garbage.

"But there should be an agreement made with the community living in near the dump and a fee (should be paid by Jakarta) to cover the operational costs of the dump," he added.

Ubaidillah said the regency administration need to settle emerging problems with land acquisition soon.

"If these problems are ignored, they will hamper the construction project itself. The administration must also soon disseminate information on the construction of the dump to the community."

A number of residents living near Bojong Menteng have rejected the administration's plan to build the dump.

"It would affect our health," said Marhin Sofawi, a neighborhood unit chief at Bojong Menteng village.

"Many residents intend to move, but they want the administration to find them new houses."

The regency administration has allocated Rp 3 billion from this year's budget to release 30 hectares of land occupied by residents, while the physical construction of the dump, costing around Rp 100 billion, is being financed by the World Bank.