The Public Works and Public Housing Ministry on Monday signed cooperation agreements with seven regional administrations for the construction of infrastructure for local residents in tourism areas.

The infrastructure projects include roads in residential areas, drainage systems and clean-water networks, whose tender bids are still in process, said ministry’s housing and utilities director general Sri Hartoyo on Monday.

The construction of the facilities is expected to start this year and be completed next year, said the official.

“Supporting facilities for locals in the tourism areas are important so that the people there live decently. We also hope that it will help them support tourism activities in their areas,” he told reporters after the signing ceremony.

The seven tourism areas are Borobobudur in Central Java, Morotai in Maluku, Labuan Bajo in East Nusa Tenggara, Wakatobi in Southeast Sulawesi, Thousand Islands in Jakarta, Lake Toba in North Sumatra and Bromo-Tengger-Semeru in East Java.

For the seven agreements, the ministry has allocated Rp 1 trillion (US$75.1 million).

On Monday, the ministry also signed agreements with PT Meares Soputan Mining (MSM) to develop a household water project for North Minahasa in North Sulawesi and with Prasetiya Mulya University and Bina Ekonomi Sosial Terpadu (BEST) to help local people improve sanitation in their areas.

On May 23, the ministry signed a similar agreement to develop infrastructure for local people in Lombok South Beach, West Nusa Tenggara; Kelayang Cape in Bangka Belitung as well as Tanjung Lesung and Ujung Kulon areas in Banten.

source: thejakartapost