Aceh, The Indonesia Post – President Joko Widodo inaugurated the Sigli-Banda Aceh Section 4 toll road connecting Indrapuri-Blang Bintang during his working visit to Aceh Province on Tuesday, August 25, 2020. Overall, the Sigli-Banda Aceh toll road stretches. along 74 kilometers and is the first toll road to be built in Aceh Province.
The President, in his remarks, hoped that the construction of the first toll road in the province would later be able to accelerate economic growth in Bumi Serambi Mekah and open the widest possible job opportunities.
“We hope that this new infrastructure will foster new economic growth points, new businesses, expansion of existing businesses, and we hope that the broader economy in Aceh will generate growth, and of course the goal is creating job opportunities. as much as possible, “he said.
The Head of State also expressed his gratitude to the regional government and all Acehnese people for supporting the progress of this development with the smooth process of land acquisition needed for development. According to him, land acquisition in Aceh Province for the construction of the toll road is the fastest.
“Land acquisition in Aceh Province is the fastest as far as I know. For example, the 74 kilometers from Banda Aceh to Sigli is already 86 percent. It’s so fast. The construction can follow quickly, “said the President.
“I think that if the methods in Aceh are applied in other provinces, the speed of construction of the toll roads will all be fully operational immediately,” he added.
In the future, the existing toll roads in Aceh Province will be connected with other toll roads on the island of Sumatra until they end in Lampung and become part of the 2,765 kilometer trans-Sumatra toll road which is targeted for completion in 2024.
“This will increase the multiplier effect two to three times. This is wonderful. It also directly absorbs 296 thousand workers for 18 existing sections. Currently, it has absorbed 24,700 workers. This is indeed a lot, “he said.
On this occasion, the Head of State said that infrastructure development in Indonesia must continue to run considering the importance of this for our country in the midst of underdeveloped infrastructure compared to other countries.
The unequal facilities and infrastructure development in our country today make the high cost of logistics which makes our competitiveness unprofitable.
“Apart from that, under current conditions, infrastructure development is also one of the strategies that provide leverage to accelerate national economic recovery,” the President added.
In addition, President Joko Widodo also left a message to the Governor of Aceh Province to immediately connect the first toll road in Aceh Province with the economic and tourism centers there.
“I ask that this be connected to agricultural centers, tourism, and industrial areas so that it will truly benefit our people in Aceh and we hope that Aceh will become the epicenter of new economic growth on the island of Sumatra,” he said.
After the inauguration, the President had the opportunity to test the 13.5-kilometer section of the Indrapuri-Blang Bintang toll road section 4.
Present at the inauguration ceremony included Minister of State-Owned Enterprises Erick Thohir, Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko, Head of the Danang Parikesit Toll Road Regulatory Agency, and Plt. Governor of Aceh Nova Iriansyah. (ojn/ bbs)
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