Bandarlampung (ANTARA) - The central government will soon shut down the Bakung Landfill site in Bandarlampung City, Lampung Province, due to improper management of leachate, Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq has confirmed.
"I have reviewed this landfill, and I can confirm that the leachate has not been managed well. We have decided to put an end to this threat to the environment," he said after inspecting the site on Saturday.
During the inspection, the Ministry of Environment also installed a notice board declaring that the Bakung Landfill site has been placed under its supervision.
Nurofiq then highlighted that the government is aware of how the planned closure of the landfill could potentially affect local waste management, noting that the Ministry of Environment will monitor the likely impacts of the plan.
"This landfill will remain under our supervision as we are aware that its shutdown might lead to turbulence in waste management here. Nevertheless, the government has resolved to shut down this place in a short time," he pointed out.
The minister further said that the central government will conduct an investigation into the cause of the leachate pollution and identify those responsible for it.
"We cannot afford to take this matter lightly. The state demands that we immediately find a conclusion to this problem," he affirmed.
Furthermore, he said that the ministry is ready to support the Bandarlampung government's plan to relocate the waste site, including by providing guidelines for comprehensive waste management.
"I have learned that the municipal government is getting prepared to relocate this site. We will surely back this initiative," he added.
