Jakarta, April 8, 2016 (Antara) - Indonesia is the world's largest archipelagic nation, with more than 17 thousand islands stretching over 5,000 km across the equatorial ocean.
Therefore, inter-island connectivity is crucial to unite Indonesia as a big nation, sprawling from Sumatra to the Papua Islands, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) affirmed.
"Two-third of Indonesian territory is water, and one-third is land. Our focus should be on water as we are an archipelago. In the past, the Majapahit and Sriwijaya kingdoms had gained eminence as they had focused on the seas," he pointed out.
For that purpose, the head of state has instructed to start new sea toll routes to boost inter-island connectivity in the country.
Since last year, the government has started three sea toll routes, which are served regularly and routinely by ships, the president stated. He said this while inaugurating five seaports located in East Indonesia, in a ceremony centered in Tobelo seaport, North Halmahera, North Maluku, on April 6, 2016.
The newly simultaneously inaugurated seaports are Tobelo, Galela, Tutu Kembong, Wonreli and Teor Isle.
The newly simultaneously inaugurated seaports are Tobelo, Galela, Tutu Kembong, Wonreli and Teor Isle.
This year, at least six new routes must be added, including one connecting the Tobelo seaport, he ordered.
Earlier, Jokowi stated that the government had built several ports in the outer regions of Indonesia to uphold the country's maritime sovereignty.
Earlier, Jokowi stated that the government had built several ports in the outer regions of Indonesia to uphold the country's maritime sovereignty.
The government plans to add 68 ports by the end of 2016 across several provinces, including in Papua, Maluku, East Nusa Tenggara and Sulawesi.
He hoped the improved connectivity would also facilitate smoother distribution of goods and logistics to rural areas in Indonesia.
The enhanced connectivity is believed to bring down the prices of goods and, consequently, to improve the economic conditions in remote areas.
President Jokowi stated that the government had planned to subsidize sea toll transportation to fulfill the transportation needs of the people living in remote areas.
"The ticket price should not be expensive. It is better to subsidize the ticket price, so that the people can utilize the facility," the president noted in his speech during the inauguration of Wasior Port, West Papua, on April 5.
The Wasior port was built as a part of the sea toll lines project in the eastern region of Indonesia.
In Southeast Sulawesi Province, the Transport Ministry has built five seaports over the past several years to facilitate sea transport in the region with funds from state budgets.
Chief of the Communications and Public Information Service of the Transport Ministry J.A Barata said the five ports are Maligano (Muna), Wanci (Wakatobi), Bungkutoko (Kendari), Molawe (Konawe Utara) and Baubau.
The port of Maligano in the district of Muna serves as a pioneer shipping infrastructure and as a local feeder port.
The Maligano port project included a 70x8 square meter quay, 247x6 square meter causeway and on-land facilities.
Built in 2011-2015 at a cost of Rp2 billion, the seaport could accommodate ships measuring up to 1,000 DWT.
The port of Wanci in the district of Wakatobi serves as infrastructure facility for tourist transport in that district. The port project included development of a 70x8 square meters quay and on shore facilities.
Construction of the port began in 2012 and was completed in 2015 at a cost of Rp21 billion. It could accommodate ships, measuring up to 1,000 DWT.
The port of Bungkutoko of the Kendari city serves as a multipurpose port and facilitates the transport of marine tourists.
Construction of the port began in 2009 and was completed in 2015. It could accommodate ship measuring up to 6,000 DWT with pier face line of 8 mLWS. The port serves as a hub port in that region.
Construction of the port began in 2009 and was completed in 2015. It could accommodate ship measuring up to 6,000 DWT with pier face line of 8 mLWS. The port serves as a hub port in that region.
The port of Molawe in the district of Molawe serves as a pioneer shipping infrastructure facility in the province . Its facilities include a 70x8 square meter quay, a 29.5x8 square meter trestle and onshore facilities.
Construction of the port began in 2013 and was completed in 2015 at a cost of Rp29 billion. The port could accommodate ship measuring up to 1,000 DWT with quay face line of -5 mLWS. It is a hub port in the region.
The port of Bau-Bau was built at a cost of Rp268 billion. Construction began in 2008 and was completed in 2015.
The port of Bau-bau could accommodate a ship measuring up to 15,000 GT with quay face line of -10mLWS.
The port serves as hub port for loading and unloading of cargo and as a passenger port. It facilitates shipping to the district of Buton, which is known for its asphalt deposit.
These seaports were constructed in accordance with President Jokowi's ambition to boost infrastructure development.
He said each area in the country would need and should have a port to facilitate economic development in the area.
Jokowi reiterated three priority areas for the accelerated implementation of development programs.
Jokowi reiterated three priority areas for the accelerated implementation of development programs.
The three areas are deregulation, aimed at simplifying licensing procedures, developing infrastructure and improving the quality of human resources. ***1***
(f001/INE/B003)
EDITED BY INE
(T.F001/A/BESSR/Bustanuddin) 08-04-2016 23:59:26
(f001/INE/B003)
EDITED BY INE
(T.F001/A/BESSR/Bustanuddin) 08-04-2016 23:59:26
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