East Manggarai Watu Cie–Deno road project faces scrutiny over materials

Labuan Bajo — A Rp14.29 billion road upgrade on the Watu Cie–Deno route in East Manggarai has drawn scrutiny over alleged material quality problems and the contractor’s record, according to reporting by Floresa and subsequent coverage by local outlet Flobamor and NTT Viva. The 5-kilometre project is scheduled to run from Jan. 22 to Sept. 19, 2026, under a regional budget allocation from the 2026 fiscal year.

The route links Compang Laho, Lento, Leong and Deno villages and is used as a faster connection toward Ruteng, the regency capital. Floresa reported that residents described the road surface as dusty, gravelly and slippery while construction was underway.

Floresa said the project has a budget of Rp14,290,131,000, covers five kilometres and is being upgraded from lapen to hot-mix asphalt. The report also said the work includes a 365-day maintenance period after completion.

Local complaints focused on the condition of materials being laid on the road. Floresa reported that one resident questioned the appearance of stone and sand being used, while another said he had fallen on a slippery section. The outlet also said it observed fine aggregate spread along part of the route and sections where sand and soil remained visible.

NTT Viva reported in July that the project’s supervising consultant, Indra Ogur of CV Bayu Prama, said the materials had passed laboratory testing and met technical specifications. The same report said the project was funded by the 2026 Special Allocation Fund and awarded to CV Odilia, with the company based in Borong, East Manggarai.

Floresa reported that the contractor’s site management was linked to Emilia Kristiningsih, also known as Nining Lapang, and said it reached out to her for comment in August without receiving a response. The report also quoted her from earlier comments to another outlet as saying the material complied with procedures and had been laboratory-tested.

Separate local coverage from Flobamor on Sept. 18 said the Watu Cie–Deno work was still ongoing and that some newly laid hot-mix sections had already shown cracking. It also said earlier reporting had put the project’s contract value at about Rp14.4 billion, while other reporting described the budget as Rp14.5 billion.

Floresa further reported that residents suspected some aggregate may have come from a quarry in Golo Watu Pasat, while another source raised the possibility of material from Wae Reno, Ranaka village. The reports did not establish that either site supplied the project.

The road project has become part of a wider debate in Manggarai Timur over whether the materials used meet specifications and whether any early defects are linked to workmanship, unfinished work or the source of aggregates.

Sources

• Floresa
• NTT Viva
• Flobamor