West Sumatra reconstruction to cost Rp7 trillion

Syofiardi B. Jb, The Jakarta Post, Padang | Mon, 10/26/2009 8:35 PM

The government has estimated that rehabilitation and reconstruction in the quake devastated province of West Sumatra will cost Rp 7 trillion (US$745 million).

“We have not set the actual budget for the rehabilitation and reconstruction program, but for the time being it may cost Rp 7 trillion,” Coordinating Minister for People’s Welfare Agung Laksono said Monday.

He said the government had declared the Sept. 30 earthquake, which killed over 1,100 people and destroyed 134,000 houses, a provincial disaster instead of a national disaster.

Agung and five other ministers visited Padang to observe the ongoing emergency response program in the quake-hit towns of Padang Pariaman and Padang ahead of the rehabilitation and reconstruction works that are expected to start on Nov. 1. The Cabinet members also heard the presentations of acting Governor Marlis Rahman on the progress of the emergency response program.

“We will report results of our visit to the President and hopefully he will support our proposal,” Agung said.