President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) on Wednesday inaugurated 24 road sections spanning a total length of 165 kilometers in West Kalimantan and built with a total budget of Rp648 billion, or around US$41 million. "By saying bismillahirrahmanirrahim (In the name of Allah, The Most Gracious and The Most Merciful) today, I declare the Presidential Instruction for Regional Road Construction in West Kalimantan, is completed," he announced in Mempawah district. According to a statement released by the Presidential Secretariat, the construction of roads in West Kalimantan was undertaken based on Presidential Instruction Number 3 of 2023 concerning the Acceleration of Regional Road Connectivity Improvement. President Widodo expressed the hope that road infrastructure development would increase the mobility of people and freight in the surrounding areas. "We expect to be able to repair all damaged roads so that the mobility of people, freight, and logistics through these roads can all be fast-paced," he said. Widodo also emphasized the importance of road infrastructure development in reducing logistics costs. He said that the existence of road infrastructure is expected to increase the competitiveness of local goods. "And make existing goods cheaper and more competitive," he added. Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi, Public Works and Public Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono, State-Owned Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir, acting governor of West Kalimantan, Harisson, and Mempawah district head Erlina Nosran accompanied the President during the inauguration event. Earlier, in February this year, President Widodo inaugurated 27 roads included in the presidential instruction on regional road construction in South Sulawesi province. He also launched road infrastructure spanning 209 kilometers in Tanjungbalai, North Sumatra, on March 14, 2024, which was also a part of the implementation of Presidential Instruction No. 3/2023. (ICE GIACARTA)

Fonte notizia: Antara News, 20 March 2024