West Java DPRD Urges Provincial Government to Overcome Bureaucratic Hurdles for Irrigation Repair

West Java DPRD member Tetep Abdulatip has called on the provincial government to actively dismantle bureaucratic barriers and administrative divisions hindering the repair of crucial agricultural irrigation networks. He stressed that farmers are primarily concerned with a reliable water supply for their production, regardless of the intricate jurisdictional lines between central government bodies, river basin authorities, the provincial government, and local regencies.

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The community, the people, especially the farmers, they don't know which authority this is, whose authority it is. The important thing is that this must be finished.

Abdulatip pointed out that despite consistent annual budget allocations for irrigation in the provincial budget, the actual implementation and completion of projects on the ground remain insufficient. This stagnation, he explained, is largely due to legal authority blockages that impede effective execution.

To address these challenges, Abdulatip urged the West Java Provincial Government to take a proactive role. He advocated for initiating and accelerating collaboration among various agencies and stakeholders. Furthermore, he suggested involving the private sector through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives to bolster efforts in improving irrigation infrastructure.

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Alhamdulillah, every year the issue of irrigation in the APBD has been considered. It's just that it hasn't been fully completed, but there has been progress.

Beyond the jurisdictional hurdles, Abdulatip also highlighted the significant threat posed by land conversion, which has rendered some vital water infrastructure unusable. He called for the provincial government to develop strategic plans for the repurposing of irrigation assets affected by land conversion. These efforts are seen as vital for bolstering West Java's food security and ensuring that the benefits of improved irrigation reach the grassroots level more swiftly.

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In this development process, we cannot do it alone. The West Java Provincial Government must be an accelerator and initiator for collaboration.