President Jokowi Inaugurates Balikpapan-Samarinda Toll Road

President Jokowi/PHOTO VIA ANTARA

BALIKPAPAN - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) directly inaugurated the Balikpapan-Samarinda section of the Balikpapan-Samboja toll road at the Manggar Toll Gate, Balikpapan, East Kalimantan.

"This afternoon, thank God, all 97.3 km of the Balikpapan-Samarinda toll road have been completed. It has been completed, the work has been completed", President Jokowi said at the inauguration ceremony of the toll road section, quoted by Antara, Tuesday, August 24.

Jokowi said the existence of the toll road creates new points of economic growth, improves logistics networks, and improves competitiveness, especially for commodities produced in East Kalimantan Province.

Jokowi hopes that the economy in East Kalimantan will be more efficient and more competitive.

"By saying Bismillah hirrahman nirrahim, this afternoon I inaugurate the Balikpapan-Samarinda toll road section I and section V, thank you", said the President, which was then followed by pressing the siren button.

East Kalimantan Governor, Isran Noor, hopes that the Balikpapan-Samarinda Toll Road will support the mobility of people, goods and services, as well as grow the economy and progress of development in East Kalimantan.

"Congratulations and success on the operation of the Balikpapan-Samarinda toll road sections I and V", said Isran Noor.

Meanwhile, the President Director of PT Jasamarga Balikpapan-Samarinda Jinto Sirait said that the smooth transportation between the two cities is expected to create a multiplier effect for economic growth. Jinto hopes that the people in the area will be more prosperous.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Central Kalimantan National Road Implementation Center, Director General of Highways at the Ministry of Public Works and Housing, Junaidi said that from a quality perspective, his party had carried out a proper function test.

Junaidi said that all aspects of quality and safety have been met, so the Balikpapan-Samarinda toll road sections I and section V are very ready to operate.

The inauguration of the Balikpapan-Samarinda toll road section received a positive response from the public.

Intercity transportation driver Amir said he was happy with the inauguration because the existence of the toll road could shorten vehicle travel time.

The same thing was conveyed by a local MSME entrepreneur, Yadi. Yadi said the existence of the toll road made inter-city travel closer and faster and benefited MSME entrepreneurs in delivering products.