House speaker calls for priority for schools and health facilities

Bengkulu, NU Online
Speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR) Agung Laksono has asked for a priority for   schools and health facilities in the reconstruction efforts after the recent quake in Bengkulu.

"An emergency response effort is currently still being carried out and it will last for two weeks. A recovery effort will be made after valid data have been collected. I hope important facilities such as schools and healthcare centers and bridges would be given a priority in the efforts," he said here on Tuesday.<>

Agung said after visiting the region along with a number of DPR members that the impact of the quake was immense.

"I believed in what the governor of Bengkulu, Agusrin Maryono Najamuddin, had reported and even believed that the damage could be worse," he was quoted as saying by the state news agency.

In view of that he called on the local government to continue updating data of the damage without fear of making mistakes.

"It also happened in Aceh and Yogyakarta. Even data of the damage there often changed. It is alright. It should be continuously updated while awaiting verification," he said.

During the visit Agung also extended food aid bought with funds collected from DPR members.

Fifteen people were killed and dozens others  wounded following a 7.9 magnitude quake in Bengkulu last Wednesday in addition to destruction of thousands of houses and buildings, Bengkulu governor said. (dar)