President Jokowi Urges Village Heads to Use Village Funds Prudently

President Jokowi meets with Serang regency’s village heads in Margagiri village, Serang regency, Banten province, Monday (01/08). (Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/Muchlis Jr)

Village funds must be managed prudently to bring real benefits to village residents, according to President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo.

“I hope that the money and the funds that have been disbursed to villages will be beneficial and boost economic growth in villages,” the President said during a meeting with Serang regency’s village heads in Margagiri village, Serang regency, Banten province, Monday (01/08).

President Jokowi stated that the village funds have been utilized for many infrastructure projects in villages, including 350,000 kilometers of village roads.

The President also said that the construction of village roads shows that the Government is not only carrying out major infrastructure development in cities, but also infrastructure projects in villages.

“We have also built 6,700 water reservoirs in villages,” President Jokowo said.

On that occasion, President Jokowi told village heads to make their own infrastructure development plan, and the Central Government was more than ready to support the plan.

“The National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) is ready to assist village governments in preparing development plans,” the President said, adding that village heads must maintain cash circulation in villages by buying local products for infrastructure development in the villages.

“I am aware that the price of goods in villages is 5 percent, 10 percent, or 15 percent more expensive than the price of goods in cities. Nevertheless, [buying local products] is important for maintaining cash circulation in villages,” the President remarked. (BPMI SETPRES/AIT) (RI/EP)