Addressing the flood problem was acommitment of President-elect Joko Widodo during his term since 40percent of Jakarta’s area was already below sea level, with some placeslower than the average by four metres, said Coordinating Minister forEconomic Affairs Chairul Tanjung.
He emphasised that ifactions are not taken immediately, in 2015 the country will sink due torapid ground subsidence and rising sea level.
The project willalso help widen the capital’s area to meet with its developmentpotential as a leading economy hub of the island country.
Last rainy season, heavy flood left thousands in Jakarta stranded and cost 580 million USD in economic damage.
The great sea wall was designed in consultation and assistance from the Netherlands.
The first phase of the project is to build an 8-km-long wall along thecoast to form a new area in Jakarta’s northern part.-VNA