Gorontalo's Bulango Ulu Dam Construction Nears Completion, Expected to Boost Local Economy

The Bulango Ulu Dam and Reservoir in Bone Bolango Regency, Gorontalo Province, is nearing 91% completion and is anticipated to significantly enhance the local economy. Rachmat Gobel, a member of the DPR RI, emphasized the necessity for the regional government to adapt its programs to leverage the benefits of the dam.

The reservoir, which will be one of Indonesia's largest, has a water storage capacity of 93.75 million cubic meters and will irrigate 4,940 hectares of rice fields while generating hydropower and solar energy. It is projected to contribute 4 to 5 percent to Gorontalo's economic growth, possibly exceeding 10 percent in the future.

Gobel highlighted the importance of land use planning and conservation to maximize the reservoir's potential. Historical precedents, such as the construction of the Lomaya Dam in 1921, demonstrate the economic benefits of such infrastructure in Gorontalo.