IKN Development Is Speeded Up To Be Ready Before The RI Anniversary Ceremony

IKN (Photo: Doc. Ministry of Transportation)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) continues to seek progress in the development of various facilities and infrastructure in the capital city of Nusantara (IKN) so that they are ready to be used before the 79th Indonesian Independence Ceremony, next August.

"When it comes to IKN infrastructure, especially those from the Ministry of PUPR as a whole, from water, marga and housing, the first batch has reached 82 (percent)," said Director General of Human Settlements of the Ministry of PUPR Diana Kusumastuti quoting Antara.

He explained that the PUPR Ministry is targeting a number of basic infrastructures, namely the supply of drinking water, the presidential palace, the presidential office, toll roads, and the memory park to be functional and utilized by the end of July.

Regarding the construction of the presidential palace, he explained that the field, exterior, and interior are almost complete but a maintenance period will still be needed.

"The president's office is also thank God, hopefully by the end of July the Garuda blades will also be finished. The national axis in front of the palace is also finished. The coordinating minister's office will be functional for use. The road in front of the presidential palace, hopefully, can be accelerated for July, everything will be finished," said Diana.

Furthermore, he also ensured that the office could start occupancy in July, according to President Jokowi's plan to have an office in IKN in July, or a month before the implementation of a series of events to commemorate the Republic of Indonesia's Independence Day.

"We have prepared it. Then Mr. Bas will stay there, the President will also live there. Hopefully, according to the plan," said Diana, referring to the nickname of the Minister of PUR Basuki Hadimuljono.

Previously, the Head of the Presidential Secretariat (Kasetpres) Heru Budi Hartono said that the realization of President Jokowi to have an office in IKN was still waiting for the readiness of fundamental infrastructure, namely clean water supply and IKN airport, which will be located in Penajam Paser Utara Regency, East Kalimantan.

Although airport construction is targeted to be completed next August, Heru said further checking is still needed and ensuring the airport's operational permit.

"Yes, there is water, there is an airport. Yesterday the airport (targeted) could be completed in August, yes, and the results of the information I got certainly still need improvement," he said.

Heru said the government continues to finalize preparations for a series of events to commemorate the 79th Anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia, which will begin with joint remembrance activities on August 1, 2024.

Different from the initial plan to hold a series of events to commemorate this year's anniversary at IKN, Heru said that activities during August 1-17 will be held offline and online, at IKN and Jakarta.