President launches infrastructure projects

Erwida Maulia, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Tue, 01/19/2010 9:30 AM

President Susilo Bambang Yu-dhoyono on Monday began a work visit to East Java, launching infrastructure projects and a tree-planting campaign.

Yudhoyono arrived at Iswahyudi Air Base in the East Java town of Madiun on Monday morning, after which he and his entourage headed to Widas Reservoir, where he assisted with the sowed 150,000 nila fish seeds and planted 3,500 trembesi trees nearby.

The tree planting is part of the local administration’s plan to plant up to 3.5 million trees around the reservoir.

The President also used the opportunity to hold a dialogue with the local community and to donate 30 tractors, rice seeds, tree seedlings and more than 100 tons of fertilizer to local farmers.

First Lady Ani Yudhoyono, who is among the presidential entourage on the tour, donated 5 tons of baby food.

Also accompanying the President were Coordinating Economic Minister Hatta Rajasa, Coordinating Public Welfare Minister Agung Laksono, Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Djoko Suyanto, and Yudhoyono’s youngest son, Edhi Baskoro Yudhoyono.

He then headed to Kertonegoro bus terminal in Ngawi where he launched a number of infrastructure projects in the province.

Among these are the planned construction of the 10.4-km Ngawi Ring Road, low-cost apartment towers in Jember and Probolinggo, and a drinking water procurement facility for some East Java areas.

Yudhoyono also witnessed the signing of an MoU between the East Java provincial administration and Brawijaya Military Command, for the construction of 10,000 housing units in 2010.

On the same day, East Java administration officiated its partnership with the Navy, to reconstruct housing for the fishing community in Sumenep, Madura islands, with the Air Force to sow tree seedlings from the air, and the National Police involved in a program to tackle the distribution of drugs.

“Both the central and regional governments will continue carrying out development programs to improve social welfare,” Yudhoyono said as quoted by Antara.

He also asked the public to help maintain public facilities.

“Development is expensive. So please help preserve public facilities and don’t let them get damaged easily,” he said.

Yudhoyono asked regional administrations to allocate more money from their own budgets to local development projects, instead of relying heavily on the central government.

Following the tree-planting activities in Madiun, Yudhoyono warned residents of the important role village heads played in carrying out development programs.

“Village chiefs are grassroots leaders, playing important roles in development. By supporting village heads, residents will also support their subdistrict heads, regents, governors and the President — allowing government programs to run smoothly,” he said.

The President also pledged to promote pro-people development programs and hoped the public would fully support the economic development program to improve their own social welfare.

Farmers showed their appreciation to the President for his visit to their village.

“I am happy with the President’s visit to Saradan village. This visit will encourage us to work harder,” said Sanimin representing Saradan residents.

The President was also scheduled to attend on Tuesday the opening ceremony of the 6th National Work Meeting of the Indonesian Regency Administrations’ Association (Apkasi) in Madiun, before returning to Jakarta the same day.