JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo inaugurated the NPK factory PT Pupuk Iskandar Muda (PIM) located in North Aceh Regency, Aceh Province. In his remarks, the Head of State said PIM was one of two fertilizer factories that had been closed in 2005 due to delays in domestic gas supply.
"In Aceh, there are two fertilizer factories that have stopped. Aceh Asian Fertilizer (AAF) and Pupuk Iskandar Muda. What is the problem? This has been the problem since 2005," said the President, quoted from the Youtube channel, Friday, February 10.
In fact, the need for domestic fertilizer a year reaches 13.5 million tons and only 3.5 tons is met. The President also revealed that currently, energy prices including gas are still high following various world uncertainties.
However, he asked related parties to find solutions to gas supply both from within and outside the country.
"If we don't have enough gas in our country, we can't import it so that the factory runs?" Jokowi asked.
Jokowi also asked the Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) Erick Thohir and PIM management to immediately seek gas supply so that domestic fertilizer needs are immediately met.
"I don't know for decades that we have let these assets go. I ask the SOE minister to run these two factories, it's okay to take just one first. There are still AFs that need to be seen and calculated. Gas needs are sought. How come we want this basic need to be left alone?" said the head of state.
Just so you know, the PIM fertilizer factory has a production capacity of 500 thousand tons per year which is built by spending a budget of IDR 1.7 trillion which is used for the development of PIM's main industry and ports.
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