President Jokowi Inaugurates a Number of Seaports in North Maluku

President Jokowi inaugurates the Tapaleo Seaport, Wayabuka Seaport, and Bicoli Port. The inauguration is centered in Central Halmahera.

President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo stated that we need seaports given Indonesia is a vast archipelago with 17,000 islands. “Therefore, the Government is giving priority to seaports such as in Tapaleo. This is our priority, Alhamdulillah, it took three years to be completed,” President Jokowi said when inaugurating the seaports of Tapaleo, Wayabuka in Morotai Island, and Bicoli in East Halmahera Regency. The inauguration was centered at Tapaleo Seaport, in Tapeleo Village, North Patani Subdistrict, Central Halmahera Regency, North Maluku Province, Monday (8/5) afternoon.

The President arrived in Central Halmahera after flying from Banjarbaru (South Kalimantan) to Ternate on Monday (8/5) morning. From Ternate, President Jokowi used the Indonesian National Defence Forces (TNI) Super Puma Helicopter to Central Halmahera.

The President requested that with the completion of Tapaleo Seaport, the frequency of the ships which dock will increase even more. If it is once in two weeks now, if possible, it can be once a week. Afterwards, it becomes once a day, if possible. “It is our hope. It has been once in a month for decades. We should be better and better again,” the President firmly said.

The President advised that the existing ports be well-cared for. There should be no illegal levies. “If you find it, please report it to me, because it could be the burden of the people in North Maluku,” the President firmly said.

On that occasion, President Jokowi admitted to have been told about the possibility of his entourage could not land in Halmahera because of the clouds. However, the aircraft can land well. “Thanks to Allah’s permission,” the President said.

The President requested that Halmahera Airport be built more representative, at least medium type aircraft can land on it. “It should not have to be big. I ask to build an airport in Halmahera as soon as possible. So, the mobility of goods and people can be conducted immediately,” the President said.

During his visit to Central Halmahera, President Jokowi was accompanied by First Lady Ibu Iriana Joko Widodo, Minister of Transportation Budi K. Sumadi, and Presidential Chief of Staff Teten Masduki. (DNA/OJI/ES) (MUR/YM/Naster).