Antara News·Indonesia·Saturday, August 29, 2026 at 07:49 AM

Minister vows to rebuild public facilities damaged by Flores quake

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Suharsana Aji S C, Resinta Sulistiyandari

Minister of Public Works Dody Hanggodo emphasized that the restoration of public service buildings damaged by the earthquake in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) must be carried out swiftly and appropriately based on the extent of the damage, while considering local wisdom and community needs.

"In the rebuilding, we must maintain the local wisdom by coordinating with related parties," he remarked in a statement on Saturday.

The minister personally inspected St. Peter and Paul Church in Dampek and Nurul Huda Reo Mosque in Manggarai District as part of efforts to assess and document the condition of earthquake-affected buildings and determine the appropriate measures, including repairs or reconstruction for severely damaged structures.

Upon his request, the assessment results must serve as the primary basis for determining the type of treatment.

According to him, repairable buildings should undergo rehabilitation, while severely damaged structures should be reconstructed using stronger standards suited to earthquake-prone areas.

Currently, his office is conducting data collection and inspections of the condition of affected buildings through relevant technical units, including the Directorate General of Human Settlements and the Directorate General of Strategic Infrastructure.

Hanggodo instructed that the restoration work be coordinated with relevant parties, including pastors, parish administrators, and the Ruteng Diocese.

Similar coordination is required for other places of worship, including Nurul Huda Reo Mosque, to ensure its reconstruction meets the community’s needs.

He reminded that incorporating local wisdom should not come at the expense of safety standards. All repaired or reconstructed buildings must be strengthened to withstand potential future earthquakes.

This approach follows the build-back-better principle, which seeks to rebuild infrastructure with improved quality, safety, and resilience to future disasters.

Beyond technical considerations and local wisdom, the minister also called for local communities to be involved in the rehabilitation and reconstruction process to speed up recovery while sustaining economic activities and livelihoods.

"Local community involvement is essential to ensure residents do not lose their livelihoods. By participating in the rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts in the worst-affected areas, they can restore their sources of income," he noted.

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