President Jokowi Promises to Meet Electricity Needs and Extend Airport Runway in Nias

President Jokowi gives directives during his working visit to Nias Regency, North Sumatra, on Friday (19/8)

President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo accompanied by First Lady Ibu Iriana Joko Widodo paid a working visit to Nias Regency, North Sumatra, on Friday (19/8) to directly see potentials in this area to be developed.

President Jokowi called on the regional government to be focused on the development of the potential tourist destinations, the President said in his remarks during a dialog with the regional government, traditional leaders and the local people at the Pendopo Room of the Nias Regency.

“I noticed that the main potentials lie on two things: tourism and fisheries. So, we have to be focused on these two potentials,” the President added.

The President believes if  Nias Regency can focus on the two potentials, economic development in the area will increase significantly. The construction of cold storage industry in the area also needs to be started immediately.

However, President Jokowi reminded all that besides security factor, the area also needs other factors, which is the openness to investment. “The potential to attract tourists also needs to be disseminated to the people,” the President added.

The President asserted that currently there is no significant problems on the condition of infrastructures in order to maximize the potential tourist destination in Nias.”I already inspected several roads, and In Syaa Allah there will be no problems,” The President firmly said.

Meanwhile, responding to complains from the people and regional govenment on electricity shortage, where the area can only provide 27 of 50 MW of electricity, President Jokowi promised to meet the electricity needs immediately.

“I will answer it. I will add 25 MW to the current 27 MW of electricity. It will be fisnished by October,” the President added.

However, electricity shortage problem in Nias Regency will not be solved immediately because the regional government has estimated that the electricity needs will increase once the tourism sector is developed.

“The regency is still lacking 25 MW once the tourism is developed,” President Jokowi recited a report.

Finally, the President agreed to add another 25 MW by the end of  2017. Thus, Nias Regency will provide 50 MW of total electricity supply by the end of 2017.

Other than that, President Jokowi asked the regional government to attract investors that have capabilities to develop Nias’ tourism. “Attract investors on tourism, hotels, etc. Investment must enter the region. Luckily, the Regent and the Governor have already prepared it,” the President said.

President Jokowi also agreed to extend the airport runways that cannot support big aircrafts. The President mentioned that on the first phase, the Government will extend the runway in Binaka Airport by 2,200 m. On the second phase, the Government will add an extra 2,800 m.

“Bomber aircraft can land there when the runway get extended to 2,200 m, and any aircrafts can land there when the runway get extended to 2,800 m next year,” the President said.

Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, Minister of Health Nila Moeloek, Minister of State-Owned Enterprises Rini Soemarno, and Governor of North Sumatra Tengku Erry Nuradi also accompanied the President at the event.

(UN/ES) (RAS/MMB/YM/Naster)