PALI, KOTABARI.COM – Anti-corruption activist in South Sumatra, Syerin Apriandi, has shed light on the construction project of the Suka Damai Village Ring Road located in the Talang Ubi Sub-district of Penukal Abab Lematang Ilir (PALI) Regency. The project is suspected of not adhering to specifications and has triggered complaints from the local community.
Syerin Apriandi, through his statement to journalists on Wednesday, August 23, 2023, urged the Public Works and Spatial Planning Agency (PUTR) of PALI Regency not to overlook the community’s concerns and to immediately oversee the project. He emphasized that the project utilizes public funds amounting to more than Rp539 million, hence it must be carried out with transparency and high quality.
“Monitor projects that use the people’s money,” Syerin Apriandi stated firmly. He also encouraged the PUTR department not only to oversee but also to conduct laboratory tests on the quality of the concrete used in the project.
One of the allegations raised is that the construction project of the Suka Damai Village Ring Road is strongly suspected of not adhering to specifications. A source who preferred to remain anonymous, but who had been involved in similar projects, revealed that several stages of the work were not executed properly. Installation of project boards, the use of aggregate-type foundation stones, the use of heavy machinery to compact the foundation, and the composition of the concrete mix are some of the points being questioned.
Syerin Apriandi reminded that transparency and quality are crucial in development projects that employ public funds. He also stressed that if it’s proven that the project was not executed according to specifications, then the project should not be accepted or paid for by the relevant authorities.
As of the time of publishing this news article, the involved parties such as the project contractor and the PUTR department of PALI Regency have not provided any confirmation or response regarding these allegations. The local community awaits clarity from the concerned parties regarding the alleged violations in the construction of the road project.