Gov’t Won’t Put Off Infrastructure Development: President Jokowi

President Jokowi inaugurates Jombang- Mojokerto Toll Road, at the Toll Road Section 2 (Jombang–West Mojokerto) in Mojokerto, East Java, on Sunday (10/9)

Postponing infrastructure development will only increase budget needed, according to President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo.

The President made the statement during the inauguration of section 2 (Jombang – West Mojokerto) of Jombang-Mojokerto Toll Road in Mojokerto, East Java, on Sunday (10/9).

The development of Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) in Jakarta is an example of a high budget needed to complete the project after the project was delayed, the President said. If only the project had begun 26 years ago, the project would have been less costly because, President Jokowi added, the cost of land acquisition in Jakarta per square meter by then was only between Rp2 million to Rp5 million, while the current price is between Rp80 million to Rp200 million. “Imagine how expensive the cost would be if we keep delaying infrastructure developments,” the President said.

President Jokowi added that infrastructures will be the key for the country to win the competition and infrastructures are believed to be able to reduce logistic cost and support the country’s competition with other countries.

For the record, logistic cost, the cost to transport goods from one place to another in Indonesia or from one province to another is 2.5 times more expensive than that in the neighboring countries of Singapore and Malaysia. “The higher the cost is, the more likely it will become a burden for the people. Therefore, connectivity is highly needed,” the President added.

Therefore, President Jokowi asserted that the Government will no longer delay infrastructure development across the country. The President welcomed the report from Minister of Public Works and Public Housing about  the section 2 and 3 of Kertosono-Mojokerto Toll Road that are ready to be inaugurated.

“Alhamdulillah, I will come on Sunday, so that the toll road can be operated immediately. After this (Kertosono-Mojokerto Toll Road) there will be three more (toll roads to be inaugurated). Maybe within one or two months; thus, do not delay it,” President Jokowi firmly said.

Nevertheless, President Jokowi realized that it is not an easy task to reach areas in Indonesia because the country is really big.  “From Sabang to Merauke, from Miangas to Rote. As the President, I personally often find difficulties reaching several area, let alone the people. I can imagine that,” the President said.

Therefore, President Jokowi reminded people of the importance of accelerating infrastructure development.

Previously, Regent of Mojokerto reported that the construction of Mojokerto-Kertosono should have been finished in 1996. “Mr. President, since 1996, the construction has been conducted; yet, it has not been finished yet. But now, the road can be used by the people, cars and container trucks can also pass. There will be no traffic, particularly on the outer ring roads of the city,” President Jokowi quoted Mojokerjo Regent.

For the record, Jombang-Mojokerto Toll Road stretching about 24.9 km covers 19.9- km- Toll Road Section 2 (Jombang–West Mojokerto) and 5- km- Toll Road Section 3 (West Mojokerto- Mojokerto). Meanwhile, Kertosono-Mojokerto Toll Road spans more than 40.5 km which consists of 4 sections. Section 1 (Bandar–Jombang) was inaugurated in 2014, and Section 4 is expected to be completed in October 2017.

On that occasion, President Jokowi also instructed the Regional Government to be able to bring the benefits from the operation of Kertosono-Mojokerto Toll Road to the people. “I reminded the Regional Government and the road users to ensure that the benefits of Kertosono-Mojokerto Toll Road can be felt directly by the people,” President Jokowi said as quoted in a Press Release of the State Palace’s Press Bureau.

Also accompanying President Jokowi in the inauguration were Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono, and East Java Governor Soekarwo. (BPMI/EN) (RAS/EP/YM/Naster)