President Jokowi to Inspect Infrastructure Projects Regularly

President Joko Widodo gives directives during the inauguration of Juwata Airport (23/3) in Tarakan, North Kalimantan

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo said that Indonesia’s infrastructure is left behind comparing to those in neighboring countries including Malaysia and Singapore. Therefore, Indonesia must accelerate its infrastructure development to catch up, said President Jokowi when inaugurating Juwata Airport in Tarakan, North Kalimantan, on Wednesday (23/3).

The President said that insufficient infrastructure causes overpriced logistic and transportation costs in Indonesia. It is 2 to 2.5 times higher than Malaysia and Singapore, that makes the price of our products very expensive.

“It is basic, the foundation. If infrastructure development is not accelerated and we are not working on it days and nights, we will be left behind in the competition,” the President said.

Therefore, the President added, he already instructed the Minister of Public Works and Public Housing as well as Minister of Transportation who are involved in infrastructure to catch up.

“Catch it up, work for 3 shifts, instead of 1 shift,” President Jokowi said to the Ministers.

President Jokowi also asserted that he will inspect every big project on infrastructure. “I have already inspected the airport, a new terminal construction in Pontianak as well. I also conducted sudden inspection to Sumatra Toll Road. I prefer to directly inspect the constructions,” President Jokowi firmly said.

Beside to create good controlling, the President added, the inspection on construction site will also bring spirits, good quality, as well as increase the speed to finish the project.

“Because if I conduct inspections 6 times, the inspections from the Ministers will be doubled, and the inspections from the Directorate General will be 24 times. It should be like that. The control will be great, as well as the quality. The workers will also feel being monitored and urged to finish it as soon as possible,” the President said.

Connectivity
The President also asserted that infrastructures, be it airports, toll roads, seaports, railways, and sea tolls, must be built to connect all regions in Indonesia, starting from the westernmost to the easternmost provinces, regencies, and cities.

The connectivity will unite the people and society. People in Aceh could fly to Raja Ampat, and there will be direct flight from Lhok Seumawe to Wamena, from Tarakan to Aceh, and from Tarakan to Wamena,” the President said. (UN/SLN)(RAS/MMB/YM/Naster)