Contractor Payments Delayed Many In North Maluku, Government Takes A Stand

The Ministry of PUPR has completed the construction of the 14.3 km Simpang Holat-Ohoiraut Road on Kei Besar Island, Maluku. (Photo: Doc. PUPR)

TERNATE - Deputy Governor of North Maluku Province (Malut), Sarbin Sehe, instructed all Regional Apparatus Organizations (OPD) within the North Maluku Provincial Government to immediately process debt payments to third parties. The main priority is given to completing physical work that has been completed but the payment is still delayed.

This firm instruction was conveyed by Deputy Governor Sarbin at an evaluation meeting in Ternate, Monday, November 17, which was attended by dozens of OPD Heads.

"We have to make sure the verified debt and the work has been completed can be paid immediately. This is the commitment of the local government," said Sarbin Sehe.

Physical Project Debt Piles Up

Deputy Governor Sarbin emphasized that the settlement of this obligation is a fundamental step to maintain public trust and the regional investment climate. He highlighted the number of physical projects that have been completed 100 percent, but payments to contractors are still delayed.

"This is a serious problem that must be resolved immediately. Do not let the work be completed 100 percent physically, but the right of third parties has not been fully fulfilled, it is still hanging at 50 to 85 percent," he said.

The Deputy Governor hopes that there will be an acceleration in the administrative verification process at the OPD level, so that valid debt data can be immediately sent to the Regional Financial and Asset Management Agency (BPKAD) for payment to be realized.

Avoid Debt Burden Next Year

In addition to maintaining trust, the acceleration of payments at the end of the fiscal year also aims to avoid accumulating debt burdens in the following fiscal year.

Deputy Governor Sarbin asked the OPD Heads to immediately coordinate with BPKAD, with the main condition being the completeness of valid supporting documents to accelerate the process of disbursing funds.

The evaluation meeting involved many OPDs, including the Disperkim, Health Office, Sofifi Hospital, PMD Service, Regional Revenue Management Agency, and BKD and the ESDM Office. The North Maluku Provincial Government itself is known to have held a financial and physical evaluation meeting for activities last weekend.