ID :
82626
Fri, 10/02/2009 - 02:00
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Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/82626
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PRESIDENT CALLS FOR SUSTAINED RESCUE EFFORTS
Padang, W Sumatra, Oct 1 (ANTARA) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Thursday asked rescue workers to continue their search for victims of a powerful earthquake that rocked West Sumatra on Wednesday to reduce the number of fatalities.
"I call for efforts to rescue as many victims as possible. Rescue those who still can be rescued. Don't abandon the search 10 days or 2 weeks after the quake because not quite a few people trapped under rubble still could be rescued," the President said at a meeting held at the West Sumatra governor's residence to handle the impact of the quake.
At the meeting Padang Mayor Fauzi Bahar and West Sumatra Governor Gamawan Fauzi reported conditions in the aftermath of the magnitude 7.6 earthquake to the President.
Also present at the meeting were Military Chief Gen Djoko Santoso, Police Chief Gen Bambang Hendarso Danuri, Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Aburizal Bakrie, Home Affairs Minister Mardiyanto, Transportation Minister Jusman Syafei Djamal, Public Works Minister Djoko Kirmanto, Industry Minister Fahmi Idris, Minister/State Secretary Hatta Rajasa and Cabinet Secretary Sudi Silalahi.
Yudhoyono asked the president director of state electricity company PT PLN to step in to coordinate efforts to repair electricity networks damaged in the quake. Many areas have seen blackouts since the quake devastated the province on Wednesday evening.
"I also ask (state oil and gas company Pertamina) to ensure that fuel oil stocks are safe so that the community will not panick," he said.
The Padang mayor said since Thursday morning Pertamina had twice replenished its fuel oil stocks for Padang city.
The President said the government had disbursed emergency response funds worth Rp100 billion which could be directly used to finance two-month long emergency response programs.
After the emergency response was accomplished the government would later kick off rehabilitation and reconstruction programs to improve houses and infrastructure facilities damaged in the quake, he said.
"Emergency response command is in the hands of the governor assisted by regional apparatuses including military and police personnel. I want everything managed properly and professionally," he said.
"I am here to ensure that the system works. I will stay here until tomorrow afternoon," he said.
After the meeting the President inspected quake-affected areas.
"I call for efforts to rescue as many victims as possible. Rescue those who still can be rescued. Don't abandon the search 10 days or 2 weeks after the quake because not quite a few people trapped under rubble still could be rescued," the President said at a meeting held at the West Sumatra governor's residence to handle the impact of the quake.
At the meeting Padang Mayor Fauzi Bahar and West Sumatra Governor Gamawan Fauzi reported conditions in the aftermath of the magnitude 7.6 earthquake to the President.
Also present at the meeting were Military Chief Gen Djoko Santoso, Police Chief Gen Bambang Hendarso Danuri, Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Aburizal Bakrie, Home Affairs Minister Mardiyanto, Transportation Minister Jusman Syafei Djamal, Public Works Minister Djoko Kirmanto, Industry Minister Fahmi Idris, Minister/State Secretary Hatta Rajasa and Cabinet Secretary Sudi Silalahi.
Yudhoyono asked the president director of state electricity company PT PLN to step in to coordinate efforts to repair electricity networks damaged in the quake. Many areas have seen blackouts since the quake devastated the province on Wednesday evening.
"I also ask (state oil and gas company Pertamina) to ensure that fuel oil stocks are safe so that the community will not panick," he said.
The Padang mayor said since Thursday morning Pertamina had twice replenished its fuel oil stocks for Padang city.
The President said the government had disbursed emergency response funds worth Rp100 billion which could be directly used to finance two-month long emergency response programs.
After the emergency response was accomplished the government would later kick off rehabilitation and reconstruction programs to improve houses and infrastructure facilities damaged in the quake, he said.
"Emergency response command is in the hands of the governor assisted by regional apparatuses including military and police personnel. I want everything managed properly and professionally," he said.
"I am here to ensure that the system works. I will stay here until tomorrow afternoon," he said.
After the meeting the President inspected quake-affected areas.
