Govt to Distribute 25,000 Converter Kits in 2018
The Government this year instructs state-owned oil and gas company PT Pertamina to distribute 25,000 starter packs of 3 kilogram LPG canister along with a converter kit for small fishermen in 18 regions.
Decree of Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Number 294 K/10/MEM of 2018 states that as of 26 January 2018 Pertamina is assigned to provide, distribute, and install those 25,000 starter packs.
Those 18 regions in question are North Sumatra, Riau, Riau Islands, West Sumatra, South Sumatra, Special Capital Region of Jakarta, West Java, Central Java, East Java, West Kalimantan, East Kalimantan, North Kalimantan, Bali, West Nusa Tenggara, Gorontalo, North Sulawesi, Central Sulawesi, and South Sulawesi.
Press release of Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources on Sunday (4/2) reports that one starter pack consists of among others a hose, a regulator, a mixer/injector and its supporting tools, an LPG canister, LPG, a long axle, a propeller and its equipment.
The distribution of converter kit is financed by the State Budget allocated for Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources in 2018 Fiscal Year.
In the meantime, to ensure accountability of the program, Pertamina must submit a written report on the progress of the task to Director General for Oil and Gas once every three months. If needed, Director General for Oil and Gas may also make some changes to the regions of the distribution and the number of kits based on the results of the verification of prospective recipients of the starter packs.
Those changes can be made on condition that it must not exceed the allocated budget, the press release says.
Should unrest, chaos, sabotage, riot, violent demonstration, strike, fire, floods, earthquakes, accidents, and other natural disasters occur, Pertamina must take emergency actions and be responsible for it and report the condition to Director General for Oil and Gas. If Pertamina cannot perform the task, it will receive sanction in accordance with the provisions of the law.
For the record, the distribution of converter kit has been done since 2016 and 5,473 converter kits were distributed in 2016 and 17,081 in 2017. The use of LPG as fuel has cut operational costs for fishermen by about Rp30,000 to Rp50,000 per day. In addition, it is also smoke-free and safe and reduces the use of gasoline, as well as improve the economy of fishermen. (Humas Kementerian ESDM/ES) (RAS/ EP/YM/Naster)
