Construction Progress Of Jalan Simpang Randu-Seputih Surabaya Reaches 60 Percent

President Joko Widodo. (Photo: Doc. ANTARA)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) accompanied by the Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Basuki Hadimuljono reviewed the progress of the construction of the Simpang Randu-Seputih Surabaya road in Rumbia District, Central Lampung Regency, Lampung Province.

Jokowi explained that his working visit this time was to ensure that the road construction was carried out according to the target.

"Today I want to make sure that what I saw 5 months ago, everything is already running. It's not 100 percent finished yet, but it's roughly 60-70 percent," said President Jokowi.

President Jokowi added that Lampung Province received a budget allocation (APBN) of Rp800.9 billion which was used to repair 17 regional roads.

This improvement is a follow-up to public complaints, and has been handled by the government through the Regional Road Inpres (IJD).

"Now it's smooth, and what is being used is rigid (thick) 30 cm. I think this will last for decades. This is also a collaboration between the central government and the provincial government. Because the budget is part of the APBD. So I think this is a good combination, "explained President Jokowi.

Director General of Highways Hedy Rahadian explained that the total budget allocated for handling IJD nationally is around Rp. 14.7 T. And currently the progress is around 30 percent.

The allocation covers all provinces in Indonesia except DKI Jakarta and Central Kalimantan. The total handled is 3,140 roads for provincial and district areas, then for the bridge is 2,700 meters long," explained Hedy.

The implementation of the IJD is an effort by the government to improve the availability of regional roads and integrated connectivity with the national road network system.

"This is an even distribution effort as well, because we enter areas that have a populist economic base, such as plantations, agriculture and MSMEs. The goal is to reduce logistics costs and of course encourage economic movement," said Hedy.

Head of the Lampung National Road Implementation Center (BPJN) Susan Novelia said the 14 km Simpang Randu-Seputih Road section of Surabaya is one of the sections handled by the Ministry of PUPR through IJD.

The total budget allocated for the construction of the Simpang Randu - Seputih Surabaya road is IDR 102.1 billion. The progress has now reached 61.28 percent. And it is targeted that December will be completed," said Susan.