Wednesday, 17 June 2026
MEDAN | INDATANEWS.COM – Medan Mayor, Rico Waas, once again demonstrated his commitment to responding directly to public concerns and ensuring prompt follow-up actions during the "Sapa Warga" (Meet the Residents) program held at SD Negeri 060936 on Jalan Pintu Air II, Kwala Bekala, Medan Johor, on Saturday (June 13, 2026).
The event, which followed a community clean-up activity involving local residents, served as an open forum for dialogue between the city administration and the public. Issues related to environmental management, infrastructure, healthcare services, and public facilities dominated the discussion.Among those present were Assistant for Government and Social Welfare Affairs at the Medan City Regional Secretariat M. Sofyan, Medan Johor Subdistrict Head Bachtiar, and several heads of municipal agencies.
Opening the session, Rico Waas emphasized that the government must remain accessible to the people and provide concrete solutions to the challenges they face."Ensure that cleanliness is maintained across all sections of Cadika Park, not only the front area. The back sections must also receive proper attention. I want the area cleaned by next week," he said.
Drainage problems were also highlighted by Yus, a resident of the Suka Maju housing area. He reported recurring water accumulation during heavy rainfall due to inadequate drainage infrastructure.In response, the mayor directed the relevant agencies responsible for water resources, road construction, and public works to conduct a comprehensive field inspection and accelerate necessary improvements.
Additional complaints involved an unfinished drainage normalization project and damaged sections of Jalan Gang Cangkul. According to resident Sahara Tarigan, delays in the project have negatively affected drainage performance and reduced the quality of life for local residents.Rico Waas ordered an immediate review and instructed officials to complete the outstanding work as soon as possible.
The mayor stated that the city government would continue coordinating with the North Sumatra Provincial Government to accelerate road repair projects. He also promised to reorganize the problematic waste collection site.
A more urgent complaint came from Asmudin Lubis of Kedai Durian, whose neighborhood experiences frequent flooding caused by runoff water from the neighboring Deli Serdang Regency. During heavy rainfall, existing drainage channels are unable to handle the volume of water.Asmudin urged the city government to widen and deepen the drainage canals to reduce flood risks.
Rico Waas subsequently ordered a technical assessment to identify a sustainable solution to the problem.Public street lighting was another issue raised during the discussion. Several residents reported inadequate lighting in border areas of the city, creating safety concerns, particularly at night.
The mayor instructed the Transportation Agency to inspect the affected locations on the same day and prepare the necessary corrective measures.Meanwhile, residents of Kwala Bekala reported that their neighborhood experiences flooding up to three times a month during periods of heavy rainfall.
The local subdistrict administration explained that an 800-meter drainage normalization project leading to the Babura River is currently underway. Plans to install additional streetlights have also been prepared."Even if a resident's membership status is inactive, they will continue to receive medical services. There is no reason to deny healthcare assistance," he stressed.
According to the mayor, access to healthcare is a fundamental right of every citizen. Therefore, the city administration is committed to ensuring that no resident is excluded from medical services due to administrative issues.He also urged the Medan Johor subdistrict administration to strengthen direct engagement with local communities, emphasizing that close communication between government officials and residents is essential for faster problem-solving.
Before concluding the event, Rico Waas reminded residents that maintaining a clean city is a shared responsibility. Flood prevention, he said, requires not only government intervention but also active public participation, particularly in protecting and maintaining drainage systems.He warned against disposing of plastic waste into drains and waterways, noting that clogged drainage remains one of the primary causes of flooding across Medan.
Through the "Sapa Warga" program, the Medan City Government continues to strengthen direct communication with residents while accelerating responses to public concerns. The mayor's immediate presence in the field reflects the administration's commitment to ensuring that community complaints are not only heard but translated into tangible action. (IDNC)REPORTER: Teguh Panjaitan | EDITOR: Fik Sagala
