Ministry To Accelerate Environment Research At Cement Plant Site

JAKARTA, Mar 21 (Antara) - Environment and Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya has urged the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry to speed up its research on the underground water reservoir at PT Semen Indonesia's factory site in Rembang, Central Java. "Yesterday, I had met Minister Jonan (Minister of Energy) and asked him to see if there is a ground-water reservoir that has become an issue. Is it true that an underground river exists," Nurbaya stated after a meeting with President Joko Widodo at the Presidential Palace here, Monday. The minister revealed that the government had earlier urged PT Semen Indonesia and the Central Java administration to conduct such a research, but they had yet to furnish data on the ground-water reserves. The authority would have to adopt a prudent policy if the underground water reservoir were to be found, the minister added. "There must be alternative moves on this," Nurbaya said. However, if the research found no ground-water reserves at the site, PT Semen Indonesia could continue its operations in Rembang. Some villagers have expressed their rejection to the construction of the cement factory owing to fears that it would compromise the quality of the water source at the Kendeng Karst Mountain. The villagers wish to conduct farming activities in peace and have been making a decent living by growing crops. However, some others supported the plant, as it would create jobs and boost the local economy. The state enterprises minister had stated earlier last week that the plant will start operations in April.