VP CONCERNED ABOUT FLOODS, LANDSLIDES IN AMBON

Ambon, Sept 11 (ANTARA) - Vice President Jusuf Kalla expressed concern over recent floods and landslides in Ambon that had claimed four lives, injured three people and damaged houses.
He conveyed his concern to Ambon mayor Jopi Papilaya through a short message service on Wednesday.
Jopi confirmed to ANTARA that he had received the message. "The vice president expresed his profound concern over the disaster and condolences to the families of the victims," he said.
Vice President Jusuf Kalla and President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono had been named honorary residents of Ambon because of their service in overcoming social conflicts in the region in 1999.
In his message he also advised that people who lived and built houses in hilly and catchment areas be put in order. "It would be better if settlers in deforested areas be dealt with and reforestation be done in the area," Jopi said quoting the vice president's message.
Former president Megawati Soekarnoputri had also conveyed a similar message to him, he said. "Several cabinet ministers have also expressed concern over the disasters," he added.
He said he hoped with the message of concern from the vice president and ministers the Ambon adminstration with support from the regional legislative assembly would be able to collect emergency funds or strategic programs to repair the damages.
"In coordination with the chief of the Natural Disaster Control Taskforce, Mrs Olivia Latuconsina who is also vice mayor of Ambon I have already deployed technical services and the local development planning board to make an inventory of the damages for use to make a proposal for collecting the emergency funds or programs that could reach billion rupiahs," he said. ***5***