President Joko Widodo to Add the Route of Sea Toll Road

President Joko Widodo enthusiastically took picture with local people at the inauguration of Tobelo Port, North Halmahera, North Maluku, on Wednesday (6/4) afternoon

President Joko Widodo said that as a big archipelahic country with more than 17 thousands islands, inter-island connectivity is important to unite Indonesia.

“Indonesian waters cover two-thirds of the Indonesian territory, while the rest, or one-third, is land. Our concentration is on water because Indonesia is an archipelagic country. Long time ago, Majapahit was successful because it paid attention to the sea, the same with Sriwijaya,” the President said when inaugurating five ports in East Indonesia territory, in North Halmahera, on Wednesday (6/4).

The President always reminds the importance of Sea Toll Road, which means to establish sea transportation by using boats or maritime logistics system that serves from Sabang to Merauke nonstop.

According to the President, last year, there were three routes of sea toll road that are passed by the boats regularly. This year, there will be more routes, including one route through Tobelo Port, in North Halmahera, North Maluku Province, that has just been inaugurated.

“I want Tobelo to be connected with Aceh, for example. This is Indonesia. If there is no sea toll road, how can the boats pass by. It there is no airport, how can we go?” the President said.

Besides Tobelo Port, on that occasion, President Joko Widodo accompanied by First Lady Ibu Iriana Joko Widodo simbolically inaugurated Galela Port, Tutu Kembong Port, Wonreli Port, and Teor Island Port, that are located in North Maluku and Maluku Provinces.

The inaguration was marked by pressing a siren button and signing an inscription, done by the President.

In his report, Minister of Transportation Ignasius Jonan said that starting at the end of April 2016, a Sea Toll boat will stop at Tobelo Port. “The boat used for sailing is big,” Jonan said.

The inauguration was attended by, among others, Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono, Minister of Transportation Ignasius Jonan, Minister of Social Affairs Khofifah Indar Parawansa, Presidential Chief of Staff Teten Masduki, and several high-ranking officials in North Maluku Province. (DNS/RAH/ES)(MMB/YM/Naster)