Nias Recovery News

BRR appoints head of Nias and Jakarta office

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Banda Aceh, Indonesia-Relief -- William Sabandar has been appointed BRR’s head of Nias office to ensure the reconstruction process on Nias Island proceeds smoothly. William is working with several other BRR staff, who set up the base in Nias a month earlier, said BRR's latest update. Last week in a seminar in Jakarta, Heru Prasety introduced himself as BRR's head of Jakarta office, as well as director for International and Donors relation.

William Sabandar is a PhD in Transport Development and Rural Economics with 10 years experience as a transport planner in eastern Indonesia. He worked as Head of the Transport Planning Section in the Public Works Bureau of Maluku province for almost 3 years and was also Project Manager of Planning and Supervision of Road Development, and Planning Assistant of the Project of Planning and Supervision of Road Development in the same province. In the 1990’s, he also lectured at the Christian University of Maluku, Indonesia.

William is also active in several professional organizations. He is a member of the International Forum for Rural Transport and Development (IFRTD) and the Indonesian Road Development Association (HPJI).

Speaking of his new responsibilities, William said, ''The process of setting up the base in Nias is going well. The commitment and spirit that drive this team in this humanitarian mission have balanced any technical constraints we are facing.''

The local government and several NGOs, both local and international, have assisted the BRR Nias team. The District Head of Nias, Binahati Baeha, has provided the team with temporary accommodation in his Pendopo (hall), and has allowed them to use it as a meeting room. HELP, a German NGO, has lent them a vehicle, while UN OCHA has provided them with a space for coordination with other organizations. Air Putih organization has assisted with the internet connection.

In regards to coordination, William said, ''Since the first day, I have seen that coordination is and will continue to be a central issue in the process of the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Nias. The central, provincial and local governments, BRR, international agencies, and international and local NGOs are engaged in the process. BRR in Nias needs to work with all the parties mentioned above. In addition, the people of Nias, who are organized through village organizations, religious institutions, cultural entities and other forms of civil societies should not be overlooked in the coordination process.''

William commented, ''There is a need to speed up the reconstruction for strategic roads and main ports. More importantly, supply chains need to be strategically designed to avoid bottlenecks during the reconstruction and rehabilitation process.'' © nas

posted by BRR Perwakilan Nias @ 9:31 AM