"I came here to Mempawah this afternoon because I heard that there is a mobile power plant (MPP) project which has been neglected here for about 7 to 8 years. The project should be continued and completed," President Jokowi said here on Thursday.
The president officiated at the groundbreaking ceremony of a 4x25-MW (megawatts) MPP project for West Kalimantan. It is part of the governments 35,000-MW electricity development program. Jokowi also inaugurated the operation of a steam power plant (PLTU), which has a capacity of 2x10 MW.
The president said that the neglected MPP project had a capacity of 2x50 MW and its construction had been paid through a Rp1.5 trillion fund.
"Before I come here I want to make sure that the 2x50-MW MPP project would be completed. I could not imagine that it had spent Rp1.5 trillion, yet could not be used. All problems must be solved and this project should be completed this year. The state-owned electricity company PLN president director has promised to finish this year," Jokowi added.
He said that besides the 2x50 MW MPP project, there were two other MPPs whose construction had been neglected for different reasons.
"I will surely check it or send officials to look at it. I often come to a location where there is a problem. This is about the peoples and the states money," said the president.
Referring to the two MPP projects in Mempawah, Jokowi said he hoped the projects, whose construction was begun in May 2016, would be finished and commence operations in September 2016.
"The two power projects in West Kalimantan will provide a large supply of additional electricity," he said.
He noted that the main complaint lodged by power consumers in all provinces is frequent power outages. "This should be resolved. I will constantly follow the developments of the 35,000-MW electricity program," the head of state noted.
State-owned Enterprises Minister Rini Soemarno, PLN President Director Sofyan Basir, Chief Presidential Staff Teten Masduki and West Kalimantan Governor Cornelis also attended.
At the function, President Jokowi said the presence of electricity supplies will allow industry and hotels to more easily develop.
"Household consumers will also gain benefits. If we do not react to their complaints, it will be a big mistake," he stressed.
The president also revealed that in the near future, PT Antam will conclude a cooperation agreement in the bauxite industry with another country in West Kalimantan. It will certainly need additional power supplies.
"We hope the agreement would have been signed this year and will begin operating soon. I want this project to produce at least semi-finished products so that it will provide added values, increase the people's welfare and improve our trade deficit," the president said.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2016
