PUPR Ministry Prepares IDR 481 Billion to Strengthen Transportation Access in Labuan Bajo Ahead of the 2023 Asean Summit

Illustration. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) is improving the quality of road infrastructure in Labuan Bajo, NTT to support connectivity for the 2023 Asean Summit venue which will be held in May 2023.

Construction of 25 km Labuan Bajo-Tanamori connectivity access including the Labuan Bajo-Nalis Intersection-Kenari-Tanamori Intersection along with 4 bridges with a total length of 175 meters

The PUPR Minister, Basuki Hadimuljono, said that the construction of the road would require state budget funds worth IDR 481 billion. Meanwhile, construction is being carried out by contractors PT Wijaya Karya and PT Yodya Karya.

"The budget for the development comes from the State Budget worth IDR 481 billion, with the current physical progress reaching 97.26 percent," said Basuki, quoted Monday, January 20.

The construction of these roads and bridges has been carried out since January 2022 under the responsibility of the NTT National Road Implementation Agency (BPJN), Director General of Highways, Ministry of PUPR.

In addition to connectivity, PUPR is also building a Munting Child Reservoir between Labuan Bajo to Tanamori in Warloka Village, Komodo District. The Anak Munting Reservoir has a capacity of 159,481.10 m3 and an inundation area of ​​4.5 hectares with the main function for conservation and supporting tourism in the Labuan Bajo Super Priority Tourism Destination (DPSP) in the framework of the Asean Summit.

Not only that, the PUPR Ministry has also completed the Waterfront Marina Area which was inaugurated by President Jokowi in July 2022 and Puncak Waringin which was inaugurated in October 2021. The two areas are also planned to be used as venues for a series of Asean Summit events in Labuan Bajo.

Meanwhile, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) opened the Kick Off agenda for Indonesia's chairmanship at Asean 2023, Sunday 29 January. The main objective of this activity is to increase public awareness and build a shared commitment to the success of Indonesia's Chairmanship in Asean in 2023.

The series of events began with President Jokowi cycling from the State Palace to Sarinah, followed by walking to the Hotel Indonesia (HI) Roundabout, Jakarta. President Jokowi said Indonesia received the Asean chairmanship relay from Cambodia and became the Asean Chair in 2023.

"I believe that Asean is still important and relevant for the people, for the region, and for the world. That Asean will continue to contribute to peace and stability in the Indo Pacific. That Asean can maintain economic growth and the Asean Matters Epicentrum of Growth," he said.

The momentum of Indonesia's chairmanship, added Jokowi, needs to be maximally prepared by efforts to strengthen coordination within the country, including infrastructure support at the venue for the Asean Summit which is planned to be held in May 2023.