Govt asked not to tender foreign-funded school reconstruction projects

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Sat, 10/10/2009 8:20 PM

Padang administration has asked the central government to issue a special regulation to allow foreign-funded reconstruction of school buildings in the quake-hit West Sumatra capital city without tender.

Head of Padang education agency M. Nur Amin said Saturday the exemption policy would accelerate the rebuilding of the school buildings.

“Direct appointments for school reconstruction projects funded by foreign donors are needed as foreign assistance is subject to time limitations in Indonesia,” Amin told Antara state news agency.

He said a number of international donors had pledged to help rebuild school buildings which were destroyed by the 7.6-magnitude quake on Sept. 30. They included the United States, French, Australian, Malaysian and Singapore governments and Unicef.

The foreign governments and institutions have also sent volunteers to clean up the debris of the school buildings.

Malaysia, for example, has expressed a commitment to rebuilding SD 15 state elementary school near the heroes’ cemetery, the Singaporean army to reconstruct SD 52 state elementary school and the US government to rebuild an elementary school in Jambak village.

“Many foreign donors wish to help us rebuild the schools. Skipping the tender process will speed up the schools’ reconstruction,” Amin said.

According to the 2003 presidential decree, procurement of goods and services worth Rp 50 billion (US$5.3 million) must go out to tender.