Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Defense Forces' (TNI's) engineering company task force (Kizi) Garuda contingent (Konga) XXXVII-J Minusca successfully built a sewage treatment system in Central Africa.
This was conveyed by Commander of the TNI Peacekeeping Mission Center, Major General Taufik Budi Santoso, at a press conference on Tuesday after welcoming the return of the TNI Kizi task force Konga XXXVII-J Minusca.
A total of 240 soldiers with the task force served with UN peacekeeping forces in Central Africa for a year from 2023 to November 2024.
They are currently being replaced by new troops who are members of the TNI Kizi task force Konga XXXVII-K Minusca.
"The Kizi task force received the best environmental award for their improvisations," Santoso informed.
According to him, the sewage construction was not listed in the task force's duties, however, the troops took the initiative to build the facilities needed by the people in Central Africa.
The initiative resulted in a higher assessment from the UN because their actions were considered to exceed the standards and demands of the UN's duties.
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"They are an engineering task force with proper knowledge prior. They studied the situation in the operational area and learned that the sanitation was not good," Santoso said.
"They worked it out to stop the flooding in the area. This effort received an award from the Force Commander Minusca," the commander added.
The task force, which was led by task force commander, Lieutenant Colonel Czi. Ibnu Muntaha, received several awards while serving in Central Africa, namely the UN Medal and a charter from the UN, the Central African Republic Medal from the Central African government, and the Minister of Defense Medal from the Central African Ministry of Defense.
They also received a charter of appreciation from Force Commander Minusca, an award from the President of Central Africa, and a charter of appreciation from the Central African Minister of Military Affairs.
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They also won awards in the environmental field, such as 1st Environmental Compliance and Special Recognition for Water Conservation, and Implementation of Corrective and Preventive Actions.
From the Indonesian government, the troops received the Satyalancana Santi Dharma service medal. The medal is given to all TNI soldiers who complete their duties with a Garuda contingent abroad.