Electricity From The Central Java Provincial Government Is Not Just A Light, But Also A Source Of Livelihood For Residents

Photo via Central Java Provincial Government

JAKARTA - Free electricity installation assistance from the Central Java Provincial Government is not just a matter of lighting needs. But it is also a source of livelihood for residents.

For example, to operate MSME production machines, and school children's learning needs at night.

Pambudi, a resident of Tanjungrejo Village, RT 2 RW 1, Nguter Subdistrict, Sukoharjo Regency, is one of the beneficiaries of the free electricity installation. The bird cage craftsman, it is easier to operate the tool after getting the free power line.

During this time, Pambudi admitted that he had to connect electricity from a selepan place far enough from his house just to operate a birdcage maker.

The 37-year-old man is a person with a disability due to a work accident in 2010. Now, with the free electricity assistance, Pambudi is more enthusiastic about producing bird cages even though he is in a wheelchair.

"Initially, I was desperate for a bird cage business. The proceeds from the sale I bought tools to support production, but in the end the problem was in electricity. Because at that time electricity was still staying at a relative's house, and the compressor had to be connected to the selepan place," said Pambudi quoted from the official website of the Central Java Provincial Government, Thursday, July 21.

In 2022, Pambudi will receive free electricity installation assistance from the ESDM Office of Central Java Province. From there, he no longer had to find a source of electricity for the development of his business.

"Yes, in 2022 I will get free electricity assistance from Pak Ganjar Pranowo. Thank God it can help me produce bird cages, plus I can also make cigarette pipes. Yes, Alhamdulillah, it's easier to do business than not using electricity (by yourself). This is very useful for my business,” continued Pambudi.

Pambudi was originally a builder. But in 2010, he had an accident, hit by a wall of a house he was working on. Pambudi was also paralyzed, and is still in a wheelchair when he is active.

"The point is I'm ashamed of my friends, when I come here to give money. Finally, an open mind, make a bird cage business. Thank God I got free electricity assistance which made my business easier. I sold one cage for IDR 200 thousand to IDR 250 thousand, it was made of teak wood, "he added. .

Sular, another resident of Tanjungrejo Village, also took advantage of the free electricity assistance. The mother, who lives with her one daughter, previously only used candles to light her house.

“Before, I used candles every day. Now we have received electricity assistance, we use lights," he said.

Besides being used for lighting his house, the electricity is also used for cooking rice and studying for his daughter who is still in the third grade of junior high school.

“To cook and learn for children. It feels good to get help with electricity. It used to be dark, now it's light," he explained.

Head of the Central Java Province ESDM Office, Sujarwanto Dwiatmoko, said that the installation of free electricity was one of the programs to support Ganjar Pranowo's policies in poverty alleviation.

“A program from ESDM which is aimed at alleviating poverty, but at the same time providing access to justice. Especially to get electricity for life, "he said.

Since it was implemented in 2019, the free electricity installation program has targeted 15 thousand recipients every year. However, because it can be synergized with PT PLN's CSR, until 2021 it has succeeded in installing 55 thousand electricity connections.

“Every year it becomes a synergy with PT PLN with a 50 percent discount. Now, in 2022, we will consistently install 15 thousand more connections, plus 2,500 CSR units from PT PLN. So we calculate that by the end of 2022, it will reach 70 thousand connections. And, in 2023 we project that it will exceed the target," he said.