Chinese Builders Improve Local Living Standards during Overseas Construction

The Indonesian Banten 670MW super critical Coal-fired Power Station was the first IPP power station in commercial operation under Indonesia's 35000MW Five-year Plan (2015-2019).

The station, jointly invested and constructed by Malaysia's Genting Power Holdings Limited and China's SDIC Power Holdings Co., Ltd., is located in Banten, a northwestern province on the island of Java in Indonesia, and is about 110 kilometers away from the capital Jakarta.

The plant was an iconic project of "made in China" and "built by Chinese" as its power generators were all designed and manufactured by Harbin Electric Corporation and the major construction units were Chinese enterprises.

During the construction period involving Harbin Electric Corporation in Banten, the company not only concentrated on the generator construction itself, but also cared about local residents' living standards.

For instance, a flush toilet was built by the company in Salira village which is next to the construction site of the 670MW super critical Coal-fired Power Station at the end of 2014.

Before the toilet was completed, constructors often saw motorbikes rushing past in front of the site.

When the construction team delegates went to the village to discuss issues of infrastructure construction and solutions to local employment, they learned that the motor riders were teachers and students who were dashing back to the village to use the toilet.

The school, with more than 150 students and over 20 teachers, lies several kilometers away from the village. There was only one pit latrine which was flooded with stinky water and mosquitoes during rainy seasons.

As it was inconvenient to go to the toilet, teachers had to ride motorbikes to the village and young students would answer nature's calls just outside the school, which led to a bad environment.

The construction teams of Harbin Electric Corporation and the Second Construction Co.,Ltd of China Construction Third Engineering Bureau decided to restructure the school toilet.

The construction teams also considered the local religious beliefs and customs before they started the toilet restructuring project. About 90 percent of the residents are Muslims, which means that the interior structure and construction materials had to be chosen based on respect for the local religion and customs.

After several discussions, the materials, structure and interior facilities of the flush toilet were finally decided.

At the opening ceremony for the flush toilet teachers and students expressed their gratitude to the Chinese builders.

The toilet project helped the construction teams gain the trust of the local people and establish a harmonious relationship with them.

Water tanks built for schools near construction site in Indonesia [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]

(Executive editor: Li Shuling)