The Ministry Of Public Works Is Working On These Five Connectivity Projects To Pursue Food Self-Sufficiency

Minister of Public Works Dody Hanggodo (Photo: Theresia Agatha/VOI)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Public Works (PU) is working on 5 connectivity projects to food centers to the Food Estate area. This is part of PU's support for President Prabowo Subianto's quick wins, namely food self-sufficiency.

PU Minister Dody Hanggodo said the government has set development priorities policies in 8 Astacita vision and mission, one of which focuses on food, energy and water self-sufficiency. In achieving this, Dody assessed that road infrastructure has a key role.

"Roads and bridges are not only inter-regional liaisons, but economic drivers who support the distribution of energy food to all corners of the country," said Dody in his remarks at the 2024 Road Day National Seminar event at the PU Ministry office, Jakarta, Thursday, December 19.

"The construction of roads, flyovers, bridge underpasses and toll roads continues to be carried out effectively, efficiently. Including road and bridge preservation activities," he continued.

Dody said that the Ministry of Public Works received directions to be involved in the third quick wins, namely supporting agricultural land productivity as well as regional and national village food barns. This requires the support of sustainable road infrastructure.

"This is expected to be able to reduce travel time and logistics costs and no less important is to improve the safety of road users," he said.

Dody explained, there are at least 5 connectivity supports for food estates. First, roads and bridges for the Beranti Food Estate area in Pulang Pisau Regency, Central Kalimantan, with a length of 41.87 kilometers (km). Second, roads and bridges for the Food Estate route in Kapuas Regency, Central Kalimantan.

Third, the Singkong Area Road for Food Estate in Gunung Mas Regency, Central Kalimantan, along 24 km. Fourth, roads and bridges for Food Estate in Keerom, South Papua. Fifth, support for Food Centers in 123 locations via Regional Road Inpres (IJD).

"Food and energy security is not a simple problem that can be done by just one party. This is our shared responsibility that requires cross-sectoral collaboration, both from the government side, the business world, academics and of course from the wider community," he concluded.