Govt to Provide More Ferries and Revamp Ports in Developing Lake Toba
President Jokowi meets with residents in North Sumatera(21/8)
President Joko Jokowi Widodo said that the Government will take three measures to develop Lake Toba.
Those three measures areprovision of ferries especially on Saturdays and Sundays, revamping of existing ports, and provision of clean water and electricity.
The President made the statement during his visit to Samosir Island in Samosir Regency on Sunday (21/8) as part of his working visit to North Sumatera province.
President Jokowi also said that he had instructed Minister of Transportation to prepare ferries with best quality.
Samosir Regent Rapidin Simbolon also reported that the number of ferries available is not enough, especially on Saturdays and Sundays.
President Jokowi added that Lake Toba is a good tourist destination; thus, ferries operating should be the ones with the best quality.
As for the revamping of the ports, President Jokowi said that the piers of the ports also have to be revamped.
I have also instructed Minister of Transportation to finish the project this year, the President said.
In the meantime, President Jokowi also shared the same opinion with Samosir RegentRapidinSimbolon about the need to provide a tourism academy near Lake Toba.
As for this plan, I will deploy a team first to find out the readiness of the human resources, the land, and others. Once I have received the report, I will immediately make a decision, the President said.
As for Silangit Airport, President hopes the runway of the airport can be extended and the terminals can be revamped.
I have already set a target that this year the airport should be completed both the runways and the terminals; thus, there will be more aircrafts that can land here and more tourists visit Lake Toba, the President said, while hoping that money circulation will be bigger there. Thus, it will bring prosperity for the locals, the President further said.
As for the construction of Ponggol Bridge, the President said that the construction is still in the process.
Its still in the process of designing. The construction will begin in 2017. We hope the bridge can also be finished in 2 years at the latest because it is a very big bridge, the President concluded.
(UN/GUN/ES) (EP/YM/Naster)
