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President Joko Widodo inaugurated the Kuwil Kawangkoan Dam, North Minahasa Regency, during his working visit, Thursday (19/1), to North Sulawesi Province.

In his remarks, the Head of State said that the dam, which was built in 2016 and cost a budget of IDR 1.9 trillion, has a number of benefits that can be used by residents around the dam.

"It has a capacity of 26 million cubic meters with an inundation area of 157 hectares which can later be used for power generation, then reducing floods which are mainly in Manado, and also for agriculture," said the President in an official statement received in Jakarta.

The President added that the construction of the Kuwil Kawangkoan Dam was motivated by the flash floods that hit Manado City in 2014.

With the dam, it is hoped that the potential for flooding in Manado City and its surroundings can be reduced.

"Because this is above Manado, so if it's not stopped here, the water can run away and can cause Manado to flood. As we remember, in 2014, there was a flash flood in Manado," said the President.

In addition, the Kuwil Kawangkoan Dam can also be used by local residents as a micro-hydro power plant.

According to the President, the Kuwil Kawangkoan Dam can generate 2 x 0.70 megawatts of electricity.

"Even though it is small, it can become a micro-hydro power plant," said the President.

Meanwhile, Director of Dams and Lakes Directorate General of Water Resources of the PUPR Ministry Airlangga Mardjono, in a separate statement also stated that the Kuwil Kawangkoan Dam has tourism potential of approximately five hectares.

The tourism potential includes waruga or ancient tombs of the Minahasa people which are favorite historical tourist destinations for domestic and foreign tourists.

"Waruga or ancient tombs that we are preserving and revitalizing so that they can also become new tourist visit areas in the city of Manado," said Airlangga.

Also present at the inauguration were Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Basuki Hadimuljono, Member of Commission V DPR RI Djenri Alting Keintjem, Governor of North Sulawesi Olly Dondokambey, Regent of North Minahasa Joune Ganda, Main Director of Wijaya Karya Agung Budi Waskito, and Main Director Nindya by Haedar A. Karim. (VOI/Andy)