Jakarta. President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo inaugurated the Temef Dam in South Central Timor Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), on Wednesday.

 "Water is a very vital resource that we need in our daily lives, especially here in NTT, where it plays an essential role," Jokowi said, as quoted from the Presidential Secretariat website. 

"With water, we can grow rice, cassava, and corn. The key to prosperity in NTT is water. Without it, there can be no prosperity in this province," he added.

The Temef Dam, which began construction in 2017, covers an area of 298 hectares and has a storage capacity of 45 million cubic meters. It joins other dams built by the government in NTT over the last decade, including Rotiklot, Raknamo, and Napun Gete dams.

"It will benefit farmers by enabling them to grow crops and help reduce flooding in South Central Timor and Malacca regencies," Jokowi said.

He urged local officials, including the NTT Governor and South Central Timor Regent, to maximize the dam’s potential for the well-being of the surrounding communities.

Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian, Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin, and Acting Governor of NTT Andriko Noto Susanto were among those accompanying the President during the ceremony.