Recovering Aceh Fuel Supply, BPH Migas Takes Advantage Of Drums To Transfer Supply

JAKARTA - The Downstream Oil and Gas Regulatory Agency (BPH Migas) directly oversees the mitigation process to ensure the availability and distribution of fuel oil (BBM) for disaster-affected areas in Aceh Province.

A total of 12 fuel tankers have been sent to supply 13 Public Fuel Filling Stations (SPBU) in Pidie, Pidie Jaya and Bireun Regencies whose supplies had been cut off from the Lhokseumawe Fuel Terminal.

Member of the BPH Migas committee Fathul Nugroho explained, BPH Migas has coordinated with PT Pertamina Patra Niaga and Elnusa Petrofin Area Aceh at the Pertamina Krueng Raya Fuel Terminal to carry out the Regular, Alternative, and Emergency (RAE) distribution scenarios in the delivery of fuel to affected areas.

"But of course, still adhere to the precautionary principle, so that both officers and the public are safe," said Fathul Nugroho, Monday, December 1.

Fathul explained that the delivery of fuel was carried out using 12 fuel tankers with a carrying capacity of 288 Kiloliters (KL) for 13 gas stations in the Pidie, Pidie Jaya and Bireun Regencies. The distribution process went smoothly with the support of the Security Team and the TNI.

In general, the stock of fuel at the Aceh Province Fuel Terminal (FT) is at a safe and controlled level. Currently, the Government, including BPH Migas, Regional Government and PT Pertamina Patra Niaga focus on distributing to gas stations in areas affected by the disaster. For Aceh Province, fuel needs are met from 6 Fuel Terminals (FT), namely Medan Group, Sabang, Lhoksumawe, Krueng, Maulaboh, and Simeulue. The distribution of fuel for the Aceh region is safe and sufficient to meet the needs of the community.

Regarding the condition of the disaster-affected areas in Aceh, according to Fathul, the current flood has begun to recede and alternative routes are starting to open, so that the distribution of fuel can be re-launched by Pertamina Patra Niaga.

BPH Migas has also received and followed up on requests from several Regents/Mayors in Aceh Province regarding the diesel subsidy quota for heavy equipment used to clean up materials in disaster-affected areas.

Meanwhile, for the distribution of fuel to areas that are still isolated due to disasters such as Central Aceh, Bener Merah, and Gayo Lues, fuel delivery will be carried out using various possible modes of transportation.

For example, for Central Aceh Regency, delivery is carried out using an engkol truck and a drum drop-off at two points because the road is still prone to landslides. For gas stations in the Blueen area, supplied from FT Krueng Raya through alternative routes.

Given that the distribution of fuel has started to run smoothly, BPH Migas urges people in Aceh and North Sumatra (Sumbagut) not to panic and buy fuel according to their needs.

"We urge the public not to make excessive purchases or panic buying. Measured consumption patterns will accelerate the recovery of fuel services in Aceh," he added.

On the same occasion, Sales Area Manager of Aceh Retail Sales, PT Pertamina Patra Niaga Misbah Bukhori, emphasized that his party consistently continues to strive to meet fuel needs in flood-affected areas in Aceh and its surroundings, as a form of serving the community.

"For disaster-affected areas, especially in the eastern Aceh region, we have transferred supplies from FT Lhoksemawe to FT Krueng Raya. Meanwhile, for the central Aceh region where the route is cut off, distribution is being prepared using drums, which we plan to supply until the point is cut off and will then be assisted by the distribution by BNPB (National Disaster Management Agency)," said Misbah.