Hundreds Of 908 Bojonegoro Residents Enjoy Electricity Thanks To The BPBL Program

Illustration (Photo: Doc. ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) provides new electricity installation assistance (BPBL) for 908 underprivileged residents in Bojonegoro Regency, East Java.

The Coordinator for Consumer Protection and Electricity Business of the Directorate General of Electricity at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Ainul Wafa, said that the free electricity assistance, spread across 17 sub-districts of Bojonegoro Regency, was part of the BPBL program in East Java Province as many as 26,840 households in 2024.

"By 2024, the BPBL program has been set for 26,840 households in East Java and will continue to be gradually improved until it is in accordance with the target of 27,120 households," Ainul said as quoted by ANTARA, Monday, December 30.

Ainul conveyed that the program, which has been running since 2022, will target 150,000 households in Indonesia by 2024.

"Many are found, the house is under an electric pole, but the house doesn't have its own electricity, for that the government is here to electrify every household that is unable to install electricity itself due to limited costs," said Ainul.

Through the BPBL program, he continued, it is hoped that it can bring benefits to the entire community. The hope is that by having access to electricity itself, BPBL recipients will no longer depend on neighbors for electricity supply.

Meanwhile, Member of Commission XII DPR RI Ratna Juwita Sari conveyed that the BPBL program was initiated for underprivileged people, so that they could gain access to electricity and improve people's living standards.

"I motivate residents who already have this electricity to open productive businesses in their homes and then be able to buy their own electricity tokens," he said.

Acting Regional Secretary of Bojonegoro Regency Djoko Lukito appreciated the BPBL program.

"Hopefully it can make good use of this electricity, it can be used for lighting, cooking and business. Don't get me wrong, for example, used for rat devices in the fields, because it is very dangerous, it can cause an electrical short circuit, even a fire," he said.

Meanwhile, Expert Staff of the Board of Directors of Retail and Commerce of PT PLN (Persero) Priyo Wurianto conveyed PLN's commitment to supporting the program.

"We hope that the electricity installed in your place can provide more benefits, in addition to lighting, for example for MSME activities that require electric equipment, hopefully with this program it can help," he said.

One of the residents of Penganten Village who received free electricity continued assistance, Suparno (47), was happy to receive electricity assistance from the government.

Living with his wife, two children, and his parents at home on the floor and with wooden walls, Suparno works as a farmer and laborer of odd jobs to meet his daily needs.

"So far, there has been electricity from other people, if you want to install it, you don't have money, if you collect money, just for life (eating)," he said.

He also hopes that the presence of electricity can change his family's life for the better.

The BPBL program is proof of the government's commitment to contribute in improving the standard of living of underprivileged people through the provision of electricity for a better life.