Inaugurating Pohuwato Panua Airport, Jokowi Hopes Growth Points Appear In Gorontalo

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) during the inauguration of the operation of Panua Airport in Pohuwato Regency, Gorontalo Province, in Pohuwato, Monday (22/4/2024) (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) inaugurated Panua Pohuwato Airport, in Pohuwato Regency, Gorontalo Province, on Monday 22 April.

"Hopefully with this airport, the economy in Pohuwato can further develop new economic growth points. By saying Bismillairrahmanirrahim, this morning, I inaugurate Panua Pohuwato Airport in Gorontalo Province," Jokowi said at the inauguration, Monday, April 22.

Jokowi explained that airports, ports, roads are important infrastructure to be able to improve the country's economy.

"Otherwise we have, our country will be less competitive, cannot compete with other countries, our products cannot compete with other countries, lose to compete with other countries. What is called airports is very important in order for us to compete with other countries. For mobility, people's speed, goods logistics speed, it can be even better. Because in the future, not big countries beat small countries but countries that will quickly beat the country. slow, "said Jokowi.

President Jokowi is grateful that Panua Pohuwato Airport, which cost IDR 436 billion, has been completed and can be used by the local community.

However, he realized that the runway or runway along 1,200 x 30 meters at the airport was still not optimal. He also ordered that the runway be added so that it could be accommodated by ATR aircraft.

"I see that 1,200 areggung. Directed by ATR, full, I can't, I took ATR earlier, because the presidential plane could not land. The pioneer plane. Therefore, I ordered earlier at the terminal, the runway must be added again. It's longer. So that ATR can fully enter Pohuwato, yes no later than next year, if possible this year. God willing," said Jokowi, who was greeted by the public's boisteries.

Meanwhile, Panua Pohuwato Airport has a runway of 1,200 m x 30 m, a taxiway of 15 m x 170 m, an apron of 110 m x 70 m, and a terminal building of 990 square meters.

On February 18, 2024, the airline SAMS Air made its first pioneering flight using the type of DHC-6 Twin Otter aircraft with the Gorontalo-Pohuwato-Palu (PP) flight route. Furthermore, Panua Pohuwato Airport serves flights on Thursdays and Sundays.