Gibran urges careful planning for village cooperative locations

Ende (ANTARA) - Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka urged authorities to conduct proper studies and consult local communities before selecting sites for Red and White Village Cooperative facilities after concerns emerged over a planned school demolition in East Nusa Tenggara.

Gibran made the remarks during a visit to Wolomoni Public Elementary School in Ende District on Thursday after reports said the school could be cleared for a cooperative building.

“I have told the deputy governor, district head and village head that site selection must be based on careful studies,” Gibran said.

He stressed that cooperative projects should involve discussions with local residents to prevent adverse impacts on surrounding communities.

“We cannot allow anyone to suffer losses. This is especially important for schools, where learning activities must not be disrupted,” he said.

Gibran cited a recent case in which construction work for a cooperative facility behind the school damaged parts of the school buildings.

He said authorities had decided to relocate the cooperative project to a more suitable site.

The relocation would protect the school and help avoid unfair competition with village-owned enterprises and small local retailers, he added.

During the visit, Gibran also proposed including the school among recipients of the government’s Free Nutritious Meals program.

He further noted residents’ requests for teacher housing and stronger internet connectivity in the area.

The school visit formed part of his working trip to East Nusa Tenggara, Gorontalo, West Papua and South Papua, which runs through June 21.

After arriving in East Nusa Tenggara from Jakarta on Thursday, Gibran is scheduled to travel to Gorontalo to open the 17th National Farmers and Fishermen Week and inspect a dam before continuing to Papua.

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Translator: Prisca T, Tegar Nurfitra

Editor: Rahmad Nasution

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