Aceh To Build Rp1.2 Trillion Dam

Pidie, Aceh, Aug 13 (Antara) - The provincial administration of Aceh will build a 380 hectare dam to cost Rp1.2 trillion in the sub-district of Tior, in the district of Pidie. "We hope the local people would support the program as it would guarantee irrigation especially in the district of Pidie, Aceh Governor Zaini Abdullah said when inspecting progress of work in the project in the village of Blang Rikui Tiro, on Tuesday. Zaini said the project is financed with fund from the state budget, but land clearing will be finance by the regional administration. Local people, therefore, are expected not to make it difficult for the government in land clearing, he said. He said the project was first planned two years ago and it is expected to be completed in five years. There are two villages -- Blang Rikui and Panton Bunot - that have to be relocated to give room for the dam, he said. The governor said the villagers are expected to be ready for relocation . "We don`t want relocation by force . The people should be aware that construction of the dam is for the long term interest of the local people," he said. The regional administration will set aside fund for land clearing to compensate land and houses of the villagers, he said. He said he hope the villagers would not take too long time to give answer to the plan to build a dam in their place, otherwise the central government might use the fund for other project.