Jakarta. State construction firm PTPP announced Friday that it had completed 89.8 percent of the first package of the Way Apu Dam in Maluku as of Oct. 12.

The project, which has a contract worth Rp 1.11 trillion ($66.9 million) in value, began in December 2017. The project became a symbol of Indonesia pursuing a balanced infrastructure development across the archipelago.

Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka recently went on a three-day visit to Maluku during which he also inspected the dam’s progress.

“The Way Apu Dam must finish on time. It should create tangible benefits to the community, especially in improving the welfare of farmers and fishermen, as well as supporting national food and energy security," he said.

The dam is expected to reach completion by September 2026.

According to PTPP’s corporate secretary, Joko Raharjo, the Way Apu Dam is a crucial multifunctional project. In addition to irrigating 10,562 hectares, the dam will supply 550 liters of raw water per second to the people of Buru Island. The project is also designed with the potential for an 8 megawatt (MW) hydropower plant and a 41-MW solar plant.

The dam is expected to reduce the risk of flooding by 60 percent, slashing the affected areas from 1,963 hectares to 786 hectares. The surrounding area is also being developed as a conservation and water tourism area, thus potentially spurring local economic growth.

Given the challenging geography of Buru Island due to the metamorphic rock and brittle clay, PTPP has implemented some technical innovations:

• Innovative concrete blocks (1x1x0.3 m) as a replacement for rip-rap

• Geosynthetic Clay Liner (GCL) to prevent seepage

• Foundation elevation of up to 3 meters

• Diaphragm wall on the downstream side

• Pumping well on the upstream side

• Greenhouse for drying clay material

This enables PTPP to maintain construction stability and work quality even in difficult natural conditions. This project demonstrates PTPP's concrete contribution to supporting equitable development and national water resource resilience, in line with the government's Asta Cita priority programs. 

"This is not just a construction project, but a symbol of equitable development for the welfare of the people of Maluku," Joko said.