Rp. 787 Billion To Build Connectivity On Morotai Island

Road construction in Morotai. (Photo: Ministry of PUPR)

JAKARTA - The government has determined that there are 10 tourist destinations included in the National Tourism Strategic Area (KSPN) in the country, one of which is Morotai Island. The Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) has supported the tourism area infrastructure program in Indonesia through the development of water infrastructure and road access since 2015.

Morotai Island as one of the outermost and foremost islands in the border region of Indonesia holds the potential for marine and cultural natural resources, with a number of tourism objects on offer such as Dodola Beach, Zumzum Island and Trikora Museum.

To improve connectivity between tourist destinations on the island, the PUPR Ministry has completed road handling in the form of improving road quality, building new roads, and building bridges on the 201.89 kilometer (km) Morotai Ring Road which will be implemented in 2019 with a budget of IDR 273. , 86 billion.

The construction of the Morotai Ring Road section is one of the National Strategic Programs (PSN) in accordance with Presidential Decree No. 56 of 2018. PUPR Minister Basuki Hadimuljono said, increasing accessibility and connectivity of road infrastructure networks to provide smooth, safe, secure, and comfortable travel for tourists to locations. tours on Morotai Island.

"Better road access will support the economy of people in tourist areas," said Minister Basuki in a statement quoted on Thursday, February 20.

The handling of the Morotai Ring Road Section carried out by the Ministry of PUPR through the Directorate General (Ditjen) of Bina Marga is divided into several jobs, including the construction of a new 6 km Sofi-Wayabula road, at a cost of IDR 32 billion.

Preservation of roads on the city boundary section of Daruba-Daeo / Sangowo-Bere Bere-Sofi-Daruba-Wayabula along 195.29 km at a cost of Rp.10.43 billion. Furthermore, the construction and replacement of 6 bridges at a cost of IDR 231.43 billion consisting of 152 meters and 7 meters of Bere Bere-Sofi, 125.80 meters of Sofi-Wayabula 1, 100 meters of Sofi-Wayabula 2, Sofi Wayabula 3 is 87 meters long, and Sofi-Wayabula 4 is 125 meters long.

All physical works for the construction of the Morotai Ring Road are now 100% complete. Overall, the Ministry of PUPR from 2015-2018 has budgeted Rp787.8 billion to support increased connectivity of the Morotai Island KSPN.

The availability of road infrastructure in a stable condition is expected to improve connectivity, accessibility and mobility in order to speed up travel time and reduce transportation costs which affect logistics costs.

Apart from KSPN, Morotai Island is known as a Special Economic Zone (KEK) which is connected to Pitu Airport, Daruba Harbor, and Wayabula Port. Increasing the quality of connectivity is expected to support regional economic development, including the tourism sector in North Maluku.

The connection of the road from the Wayabula-Sofi region will support the realization of Morotai Island as a trade gateway in Indonesia or a logistics center in the border region. This will provide a great opportunity for Morotai Island to become a center for trade activities in the Pacific region and an economic center in Eastern Indonesia in the future.