Govt, Ruteng Diocese Signed MoU on Wae Sano Geothermal Exploration

MINISTRY OF ENERGY AND MINERAL RESOURCES

REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA

PRESS RELEASE

NUMBER: 295.Pers/04/SJI/2020

Date: 7 October 2020

Govt, Ruteng Diocese Signed MoU on Wae Sano Geothermal Exploration

The government through Directorate General of New, Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation (NREEC) of Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (EMR) and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Ruteng signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation on comprehensive solutions to Wae Sano geothermal exploration plan.

The MoU signing took place in Ruteng, West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province, by Director General of NREEC FX Sutijastoto and Bishop of Ruteng Mgr Siprianus Hormat on Friday (2/10) under strict Covid-19 health protocol. The MoU forms the commitment to responding to local community's concerns and objections to the geothermal exploration plan in Wae Sano, a village located in Ruteng District.

"This Memorandum of Understanding was prepared to serve as an umbrella for cooperation, in order to meet local community's concerns, find geothermal development models that prioritize the security and safety of the local people, and improve community's welfare," said Mr. Sutijastoto. He also appreciated the Bishop and Diocese of Ruteng for their cooperation.

"Thank you for the brotherly dialogs and cooperation conducive to finding the solutions to community welfare and successful nation-building. Cooperation such as this is crucial to comprehensive problem-solving. Thus, the right decisions will be made, including those that guarantee fair and sustainable development principles that respect human dignity," said Mr.Sutijastoto.

The MoU between Directorate General of NREEC and a religious organization is the first made for a similar project and is expected to be a model for future cooperation.

On the same occasion, Bishop Siprianus Hormat said that the community had expressed their concerns over the project. They were worried that the project would threaten human safety and damage the environment including residential area, agricultural land, clean water as well as the Wae Sano lake and its ecosystem. The project also created social tensions between the local people.

Mgr Hormat expressed his thanks and appreciation to the central government for seriously responding to the concerns of Wae Sano people about the geothermal exploration plan. He also expressed his appreciation for the heart-to-heart dialogs, courtesy visits, deep commitment to community welfare, and positive partnership between the government and the Church. These points are valuable and should be included in the cooperation model.

"Ruteng Diocese is firmly and sincerely committed to helping the government and the community in finding comprehensive solutions to the geothermal problems in Wae Sano, especially solutions that benefit all. The Church hopes that all development process will be carried out through dialogs and participation that sincerely and honestly involve the community in a transparent, objective, and rational process. Our final goal is improving community welfare," the bishop concluded.

The government's commitment set out in the MoU is as follows:

1. To maintain social and environmental sustainability. This includes biodiversity and ecosystems as life support; social condition including economic and cultural activities, cultural heritage such as farming system and/or sacred areas; and the health and safety of communities near the exploration site. The government will carry out a study on the appropriate exploration site and well pad location that can meet this sustainability category.

2. To provide Geothermal Data and Information of Wae Sano geothermal area.

3. To formulate a Community Development concept based on local potentials. The scheme should support the development of community-based tourism, agriculture, plantations, animal husbandry, infrastructure development (roads, clean water, health, education) in cooperation with the central, provincial and regency governments.

4. To carry out dialogs and participatory communication, especially with the Wae Sano community.

The support commitment of Ruteng Diocese includes:

1. To become a pastor who protects all parties in finding comprehensive solutions to the geothermal program in Wae Sano, particularly solutions that benefit all parties concerned.

2. To fight for holistic and sustainable principles and values in development programs that prioritize human dignity and community welfare. Such development programs must be based on local wisdom and environmentally friendly.

3. To support the government and the community in finding appropriate and comprehensive solutions through transparent, honest and credible cooperation. (IY)

Head of Bureau of Communication, Public Information Services, and Cooperation

Agung Pribadi (08112213555)

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