Getting Assistance For Free PLN Electricity Plants, Sikan Ferosina Is No LONGer Passing To Neighbors

NABIRE - Ferosina Sikan, a resident of Kalibobo Village, Nabire, Papua, was happy because she was the recipient of the assistance program for the new installation of electricity from PT PLN (Persero).

With this assistance, Ferosina Sikan no longer uses electricity from her neighbors.

"Every three days we jointly pay IDR 20,000, or up to IDR 50,000, I hope with this assistance the electricity costs we pay can be cheaper. Thank you to the government and PLN," he said in a written statement, Monday, December 12.

Regent Nabire Mesak Magai also thanked the Ministry and PLN for the new electricity installation assistance program. The presence of electricity is very much needed by the community.

"Today I give the highest appreciation to PLN and also the ministry for the current conditions. In the past, in Nabire Regency this lighting was like a disco light because it only turned on twelve hours or it didn't even turn on. Nabire residents felt that services from the central government through PLN were extraordinary," said Mesak.

The Director of Electricity Program Development of the Directorate General of Electricity at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Wanhar explained, the government is committed to continuing to increase the electrification ratio. One of them is by helping people gain access to electricity through BPBL.

"We express our gratitude and appreciation to PT PLN (Persero) together with PLN ICON Plus for the success of the BPBL program by preparing an information system to support the implementation, payment and supervision of BPBL activities in 2022," he said.

Wanhar hopes that the cooperation between PLN, the Government and the DPR will continue and be improved in the future.

The hope is that this program can improve the economic welfare of the community.

"We all hope that the BPBL Program can meet the electricity needs of the community and improve the standard of living for more productive economic activities. In the future, for 2023, it is planned to increase its aid capacity to 900 VA so that people can be more productive," said Wanhar.

Member of Commission VII DPR RI, Marthen Douw, separately said that electricity does not only turn on lighting but for the Papuan people can improve the quality of life. This is because the presence of electricity can raise the spirit of education for Papuan children and the economy of the community.

"At night children can learn, then electricity can also trigger businesses at home. But the most important thing is that our children can learn so that in the future human resources can be of quality and compete with other countries," he said.

Therefore, Commission VII of the DPR together with the government and PLN will continue to collaborate in the BPBL program

"The House of Representatives Commission VII together with the Government and PLN in collaboration will continue to encourage the assistance of the new electricity government so that Papua will be bright," said Douw.

Expert Staff of the Board of Directors of Retail PT PLN (Persero), Ismail Deu said, PLN is ready to carry out its duties as a driver in the electricity sector. PLN also expressed its gratitude for the support of various parties in completing the BPBL program in Papua.

In 2022, said Ismail, PLN was given a BPBL target by the government of 1,920 households in the Land of Papua and has been completed.

Ismail explained, specifically in Nabire, PLN has provided 24-hour access to electricity to 266 households.

"With the target given as many as 247 households for Nabire Regency, we have succeeded in realizing it beyond the target of reaching 266 households. Thank you for the cooperation of all parties. Hopefully in the future it can continue," said Ismail during a ceremony to hand over the BPBL program in Nabire.

On the same occasion, PLN also handed over 247 food packages to beneficiaries. Assistance is expected to be useful and help the community in meeting food needs.