In a Protected Area, People Reject the Construction of Semen Aceh Plant

INDUSTRY.co.id - Banda Aceh- Member of Aceh Amdal Appraisal Commission M Oki Kurniawan refused to build a cement factory planned to be built by PT Tripa Semen Aceh in the district because its location is in karst geological area that must be protected.

"We reject the construction of a cement plant of PT Tripa Semen Aceh because if it is built it will threaten the karst geological area," said M Oki Kurniawan in Banda Aceh yesterday.

The statement was made by M Oki Kurniawan from NGO Mangrove Ecosystem of Aceh Timur (Kempra) in a discussion group forum initiated by Yayasan Hutan, Alam dan Lingkungan Aceh (HAkA).

Discussion in addition to presenting environmental activists, also invited elements of the Government of Aceh Tamiang District and Government of Aceh.

M Oki Kurniawan said, the cement plant is planned to be built in Kaloi area, Tamiang Hulu district, Aceh Tamiang. Based on the Aceh Tamiang spatial plan, the area is a karst geological area that must be protected.

"If the construction of a cement plant is forced, Aceh Tamiang Regency will experience ecological disaster in the next few years, therefore, the construction of a cement plant must be rejected," he said.

Kempra NGO, he mentioned, during the Aceh Tamiang Environmental Impact Analysis (Amdal) Commission discussing the environmental permit for the construction of the cement plant by refusing.

However, he added, the rejection was not a recommendation by stakeholders in Aceh Tamiang District Government. The proof, Regent of Aceh Tamiang permit the construction of cement factory construction on December 15, 2017.

"This letter is as if the amendment of the cement plant construction is not problematic and has been approved by the Amdal Appraisal Commission, although it is not, therefore we question why the Aceh Tamiang Regent has issued his environmental permit," said M Oki Kurniawan.

Nurul Ikhsan from Yayasan HAKA mentioned that Qanun Aceh Tamiang Number 14 Year 2013 about the spatial plan of Aceh Tamiang Regency 2012-2032 stated that Tamiang Hulu District is not an industrial area.

"Tamiang Hulu sub-district, including Kaloi region, is a protected area of ​​karst geology and geological hazard area, if the cement plant is allowed to be built in Tamiang Hulu, it clearly violates qanun or regional regulation of spatial plan or RTRW," said Nurul Ikhsan as quoted by Antara.

Meanwhile, Hayatuddin, an anti-corruption activist in Aceh, confirmed that the permit of the cement plant of PT Tripa Semen Aceh is given, it will raise support to report to the Corruption Eradication Commission or KPK.

"We will report the KPK because there is allegedly something behind the granting of a permit to build a cement plant in Tamiang Hulu, Tamiang Hulu is a stronghold for the people of Aceh Tamiang against ecological disaster If this is damaged, then destroy Aceh Tamiang," said Hayatuddin.