DELI SERDANG – In a strategic move to clean up coastal areas and improve living standards, the regional government of Deli Serdang has officially kicked off the comprehensive revitalization of the Perumahan Nelayan Asri housing complex in Paluh Sibaji Village, Pantai Labu District.
The grand revitalization project was inaugurated on Wednesday (July 29) by the Regent of Deli Serdang, dr. H. Asri Ludin Tambunan. The primary objective of this initiative is to provide decent, safe, and completely free housing alternatives for local traditional fishermen who are currently residing in makeshift slums along riverbanks and prone coastal shorelines.
“The houses we are upgrading and constructing are strictly designated for fishermen who still live precariously on riverbanks and coastal edges. The public will not be charged a single penny to occupy these homes,” Regent Asri Ludin Tambunan stated firmly during the launch event. He emphasized that the administration wants to ensure the coastal community moves to proper, healthier settlements so they no longer build hazardous informal housing along vulnerable coastlines.
The Perumahan Nelayan Asri complex was originally built back in 2007 and currently accommodates 60 units of housing occupied by local fishing families. Through this new acceleration program, the Deli Serdang administration is stepping up to rehabilitate the existing structures while expanding capacity to welcome relocated families.
During his working visit, Regent Asri Ludin Tambunan also listened directly to the aspirations of the local residents to improve coastal economic welfare. In a touching gesture of social appreciation, the Regent also awarded fully-funded Umrah (minor pilgrimage) packages to three local bilal mayit (corpse washers) and grave diggers for their dedicated community service.
The relocation of fishermen from riverbanks and tidal zones is becoming an urgent necessity across North Sumatra’s coastline due to the accelerating threats of climate change. Rising sea levels, sudden tidal floods (banjir rob), and severe coastal erosion have increasingly threatened the safety and livelihoods of traditional fishermen in districts like Deli Serdang, Serdang Bedagai, and Langkat. Moving these vulnerable groups further inland to structured housing complexes drastically reduces the risk of natural disasters cutting off families from basic security.
Beyond safety, the revitalization program is tied closely to long-term zoning plans aimed at restoring natural mangrove ecosystems along the beaches. Once informal settlements along the shores are cleared out, the local environment agency can plant extensive mangrove greenbelts to protect the land against future erosion and boost local marine biodiversity, which will ultimately benefit the long-term yields of the fishermen themselves.
