President Jokowi to Issue Presidential Instruction on Acceleration of Regional Road Construction

Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono and Head of National Development Planning Agency Suharso Monoarfa deliver a press statement after a limited meeting at the Presidential Palace Complex, Jakarta, Wednesday (01/25). (Photo by: PR/Rahmat)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo will issue a Presidential Instruction on the acceleration of the construction of regional roads.

“Earlier, directly chaired by the President, we just held an internal meeting on the acceleration of the development, to be precise on the maintenance of existing roads in the regions. It was decided that there would be Presidential Instruction for regional roads. We will decide together on which road sections,” Head of National Development Planning Agency Suharso Monoarfa said in a press statement with Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono after a limited meeting at the Presidential Palace Complex, Jakarta, Wednesday (01/25).

Suharso stated that out of the approximately 480,000 kilometers of the existing regency/city roads, only around 42 percent are in steady conditions. This is below the target set in the 2020-2024 National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN), he said.

“In the RPJMN, at least we want to reach 65 percent and that 65 percent is of course would not only be the burden of the regions but also the burden of all of us,” he said.

The Head underscored that the acceleration of regional road construction will be carried out in stages. For 2023, the Government aims to construct around 8,000 kilometers-long roads with a budget allocation of around Rp32 trillion. “We want to catch up, from 42 to 65 percent in 2024,” he said.

Similarly, Basuki said that in the limited meeting the President ordered his administration to speed up the construction of regional roads. Basuki said that the President received many reports regarding damaged regional roads.

“It is expected that we can accelerate the repair of these regional roads through the Presidential Instruction,” Basuki said.

The Minister said that a budget of Rp64 trillion has been allocated through the Regional Budget for the repairing of provincial and regency/city roads. An addition of Rp12 trillion has also been allocated through Special Allocation Funds (DAK).

The Minister also said that one of the priorities is to repair roads that connect industrial areas and production centers. In detail, he said, these road sections will be outlined in the instructions of the Minister of Home Affairs. (TGH/FID/UN) (FI/LW)