Coordinating Minister AHY Calls The Quality Of Regency And New City Roads 50 Percent

Coordinating Minister for Regional Infrastructure and Development Agus Harimurthi Yudhoyono (Photo: Theresia Agatha/VOI)

JAKARTA - The quality of roads in a number of regions of Indonesia is still not evenly distributed at this time. The Ministry of Public Works (PU) noted that the national road quality average has reached 94 percent, while in the district/city area itself only around 50 percent.

This was conveyed by the Coordinating Minister for Regional Infrastructure and Development (IPK) Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) in his remarks at the National Seminar on Road Day 2024 at the Ministry of Public Works office, Jakarta, Thursday, December 19.

"Currently, it can be said that the national road is in good condition, it's 94 percent. But, talking about provincial roads, the figure immediately dropped 70 percent. Down again to district/city roads, drop again (so) 50 percent," said AHY.

This has not been added to the conditions on the sub-district, village and others scale. So it needs to be handled immediately. According to AHY, the quality of roads in the regions also needs attention in addition to massive toll road construction.

"We also want to ensure that toll roads continue to be well built and maintained as the lifeblood of the economy between regions and between provinces. We also have to pay attention to how the capabilities of this area can build and maintain the roads that are needed by the people," he said.

In line with this, the government continues to improve regional roads through the Regional Road Instruction (IJD) program. AHY also gave an example of one of which was an IJD in Buleleng Regency, Bali. At least, there are 8 kilometers (km) of regional roads that are repaired.

"What used to be 45 minutes of connecting (villages) one point to another, is only 15 minutes. This is real, a direct impact for the community," he said.

On the same occasion, the Minister of Public Works (PU) Dody Hanggodo said that his party had proposed to resume the IJD program next year.

This program was previously carried out during the reign of the 7th President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) through Presidential Instruction (Inpres) Number 3 of 2023 concerning the Acceleration of Increasing Connectivity of Regional Roads.

"Currently the Presidential Instruction is in progress. God willing, once the Presidential Instruction (Prabowo) PU is approved, it will start working," he said.

Dody asked the public to be patient, considering that the Ministry of Public Works' budget for next year is quite limited. Therefore, the handling of regional roads will be carried out in stages.

"Due to the limited budget, please all friends be patient. We can complete all thousands of kilometers of regency, village roads today. However, gradually we will (continue) effectively and efficiently," he added.