INFOKU, BLORA - Deputy Governor of Central Java, H. Taj Yasin Maimoen, accompanied by Deputy Regent of Blora Sri Setyorini, and the Blora Forkopimda, reviewed efforts to handle the community's oil well fire in Gandu Village, Bogorejo District, Blora, Friday (22/8/2025).
The Deputy Governor inspected the condition of residents' houses that had been damaged, inspected and checked the handling of the fire location, held a dialogue with the Regional Leadership Communication Forum (Forkopimda) and the local village head, and handed over aid to fire victims and gifts to refugee children.
Also read: Central Java Provincial Government Forms People's Oil Well Verification Team
One thing the Deputy Governor emphasized was that the public should not drill new oil wells.
"The information I received was that there would be more oil well drilling, which we don't want. We have to regulate it. In fact, following the enactment of Ministerial Regulation No. 14 of 2025, we immediately formed a task force to regulate oil drilling in community wells," the Deputy Governor emphasized.
According to him, many people still do not understand Ministerial Regulation Number 14 of 2025. Misunderstandings arise when people assume that oil wells made by the community will later be approved or legalized by the ministry.
This view actually triggers the proliferation of new wells that do not comply with regulations.
In fact, the regulation clearly regulates the issue of existing oil wells or old wells, and even then they still have to go through another survey process before being operated again.
Also read: Indications of Three Illegal Oil and Gas Drilling Locations
"The problem now is that many people want to dig these wells, but this is not allowed. This cannot be done. There must be a study and approval. Now, we will regulate everything," he explained.
The presence of wells in the middle of residential areas also poses a high safety risk to local residents, so stricter supervision and enforcement of regulations are needed.
"We will study this, and we will ask that the other wells be stopped first, so we can determine their safety," he added.
The Deputy Governor also responded positively to the efforts to handle the incident. He came directly to inspect the location and said that the local government had been present to handle this.
"We confirmed that all government officials were present, and it turns out they were all present. They were from Blora Regency itself, from the central government, and from the provincial government. We deployed personnel from the ESDM service yesterday. Our staff has also been on standby here for two days. Now, because the community wanted the victims to receive compensation, we are bringing this to the affected community," he added.
During the inspection, they revealed that the handling and prevention efforts implemented today were effective. Monitoring will also be carried out later.
Regarding the relocation of residents, the Deputy Governor revealed that the government is currently monitoring and regulating oil wells to ensure that incidents like those in Gandu do not happen again.
Also read: Fire at an old oil well in Gandu Village claims lives and property of residents
Including in relation to assistance for damaged houses, it was conveyed that the government would be present.
"We'll calculate and estimate later, and the government will definitely be present," he added.
The Deputy Governor revealed that the government is currently focusing on extinguishing the fire and evacuating the surrounding community to ensure their safety and security.
The Deputy Governor also requested that there be further studies regarding whether the point is dangerous for the community or not.
"I said earlier, after this fire is extinguished, please provide us with a study of its contents," he explained.
On that occasion, the Deputy Governor also handed over aid from the Central Java Provincial Government to address the impact of the disaster in Blora Regency amounting to more than IDR 141 million, aid from Baznas amounting to IDR 30 million to 3 victims, and IDR 10 million to 2 victims.
The Deputy Governor, along with the Regional Leadership Communication Forum (Forkopimda), also inspected the condition of the refugee camps, checked the availability of logistics, inspected the public kitchens that were operating, and greeted the community and interacted with and entertained the displaced children.
Regarding the licensing process for more than 4,000 oil wells proposed to the Governor by the Blora Regency community, he revealed that the process would be temporarily put on hold until further clarification is provided.
"We are detaining everything, we are also reviewing the letters," he said.
This postponement policy will not only apply to Blora Regency but could also apply to other regencies in Central Java. (Endah)
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