Mott MacDonald has been appointed to work on the Komering Irrigation Project (Phase 3) in Indonesia by the South Sumatra River Basin Centre. The consultancy will work on the design, procurement, construction management and as supervision engineers.
The approximately USD 20 million project is being funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency and will be implemented for the South Sumatra River Basin Centre in Palembang, part of the Indonesian Ministry of Public Works and Housing. The project will improve and modernise the existing Komering irrigation system and extend the current command area of 60,000 with a further 8,600 ha.
Supported by international funders, the Indonesian government is pursuing a major extension of the irrigated agriculture sector to enhance food security and the Komering irrigation system is a key component of this. Indonesian President, Joko Widodo, is aiming for the construction and improvement of 1 million ha of irrigation networks, and the rehabilitation of an additional 3 million ha of irrigation systems.
Initially Mott MacDonald will conduct a design review for the extension of the Komering irrigation area by 8,600 ha, including the main and tertiary systems. In parallel, detailed designs will be made for increased flow capacity of main and secondary canals in the existing system to allow for the current and future extensions of the irrigation area. Following the design and procurement Mott MacDonald will act as construction management and supervision engineers for the construction works for both the existing and new system.
Hero Heering, Mott MacDonald’s project principal, said: “We are delighted to have this opportunity to contribute to Indonesia’s push for sustainable food security. The Komering Irrigation Project is one of the largest irrigation systems of Indonesia and therefore plays a major role in enabling the country’s rice self-sufficiency. Mott MacDonald has a wealth of experience in delivering irrigation projects in Indonesia and we look forward to assisting the South Sumatra River Basin Centre in the successful rehabilitation and expansion of this irrigation system.”