Wapres Kawal Percepatan Penyelesaian Bendungan Bulango Ulu

Vice President Gibran Rakabuming inspected the construction progress of the Bulango Ulu Dam in Bone Bolango Regency, Gorontalo Province, on Friday (June 19, 2026). As directed by President Prabowo Subianto, the inspection was conducted to ensure the accelerated completion of one of the national strategic projects projected to strengthen food security, reduce flood risks, and meet raw water needs in the Gorontalo region. Upon arrival at the site, the Vice President listened to a presentation on the dam's construction progress from Ali Rahmat, Head of the Bulango Ulu River Basin Agency (BBWS), before visiting the dam's viewing area. In his presentation, Ali Rahmat explained that the physical progress of the Bulango Ulu Dam has reached 94.99 percent. Currently, the remaining work includes the completion of the tunnel, plugging, and bottom outlet. "God willing, everything will be completed this year, Sir. The dam project only requires the tunnel, plugging, and bottom outlet work," said Ali Rahmat. Ali explained that the Bulango Ulu Dam will provide significant benefits to the people of Gorontalo, particularly by providing 2,200 liters of raw water per second to meet the needs of Gorontalo Regency, Bone Bolango Regency, and Gorontalo City. Furthermore, the dam is projected to reduce the potential for flooding by 43 percent in Gorontalo City. With improved water discharge control, the risk of flooding in approximately 629 hectares of areas affected by flooding can be minimized. "The greatest benefit is flood reduction to protect Gorontalo City. The water discharge reaching the city will be significantly reduced," he explained. The Bulango Ulu Dam is also designed to support a 5-megawatt hydroelectric power plant and improve agricultural irrigation services. This infrastructure will support existing irrigation for 4,100 hectares and open up additional irrigation services for 750 hectares. According to Ali, the dam's presence is expected to increase the cropping index from 250 to 350, or nearly three planting seasons per year. Agricultural productivity, which currently ranges from 3 to 3.5 tons per hectare, is projected to increase to 7 to 9 tons per hectare. "With this dam, God willing, agricultural productivity can double, and the cropping index will rise significantly," he said. After listening to the presentation, the Vice President paid special attention to accelerating the completion of the Bulango Ulu Dam, particularly regarding the funding needed to complete the remaining work. The Vice President considered accelerating the dam's completion to be a crucial step considering the significant benefits it will bring to the people of Gorontalo, from raw water supply and flood control to improved irrigation services to electricity generation. He also hoped that the construction process would proceed on target, so that filling of the dam could begin in 2027 and the dam could function optimally in early 2028. Accompanying the Vice President during the inspection were Member of Commission VI of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) Rachmad Gobel, Governor of Gorontalo Gusnar Ismail, and Regent of Bone Bolango Ismet Mile. Gorontalo, June 19, 2026 Press, Media, and Information Bureau Secretariat of the Vice President