Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara (ANTARA News) - Raknamo reservoir in East Nusa Tenggara province is the first of 49 dams the government will build in the next five years, according to President Jokowi.

"We plan to build 49 reservoirs in five year, and Raknamo is the first to be constructed in East Nusa Tenggara because Governor Frans Lebu Raya calls me almost every day to discuss the matter," President Jokowi said here on Saturday.

The construction of 147-hectare area of the Raknamo reservoir, at a cost of about Rp710 billion, is expected to store water during the rainy season and distribute it to the people in dry seasons.

According to East Nusa Tenggara provincial administration spokesman Alex Leda, the Raknamo reservoir can supply 14.09 million cubic meters of water to the residents of Kupang district.

"The water from this reservoir can also be used to irrigate rice fields and to generate electricity," Leda noted.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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