Bahlil Will Accelerate Gas Station Permits For Fisherman Welfare

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia (Photo: Doc. VOI)

JAKARTA - Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia said he would accelerate the construction permit for the Fisherman's Public Fuel Filling Station (SPBUN). This is done for the welfare of fishermen throughout the coast.

"After going to the refinery, today I also visited the location of the fishermen's gas station to ensure the availability of fuel for fishermen ahead of Christmas and New Year. And I am very happy to see the condition of the community here," Bahlil said quoting Antara.

He made this statement when he directly inspected the distribution of fuel oil (BBM) for coastal communities at gas stations 68,76103, Manggar Baru, Balikpapan, East Kalimantan.

During his visit, Bahlil directly listened to the aspirations of the fishermen who hoped for additional fuel supplies for their needs.

Responding to this, the government is also committed to shortening the licensing process for the construction of gas stations so that energy needs in coastal areas can be met immediately.

"There are requests from them that we must do, including shortening the submission bureaucracy for the construction of gas stations. I can understand their feelings, because my family is also fishermen," said Bahlil.

The Minister of Investment for the 2021-2024 period emphasized that the government's attention to the needs of fishermen is not only about accessing energy, but also as a form of support for the sustainability of coastal livelihoods for coastal communities.

The existence of gas stations in Balikpapan itself is considered by Bahlil to be very beneficial for fishermen.

Gas station is a government initiative to facilitate access to fuel for fishermen throughout Indonesia. To date, 415 gas stations have been built in various coastal areas.

Based on data from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, the distribution of certain types of diesel fuel (JBT) at gas stations 68,76103 Balikpapan until November 2024 reached 895 kiloliters or 91.42 percent of the total quota of 979 kiloliters.

This shows that the government's efforts to meet the energy needs of fishermen continue to run according to the target.

For the government, the acceleration of the construction of gas stations is expected to have a positive impact on the welfare of fishermen as well as increase national energy security according to the direction of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto in Astacita.