This project is done by state-owned enterprises and private companies, so it does not use funds from the State Budget."Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) visited the Bekasi-Cawang-Kampung Melayu (Becakayu) toll road construction site at Pondok Kelapa Duren Sawit, East Jakarta, on Monday, to review the progress of construction work.
The president arrived at the site at 8.55 am local time. He was accompanied by Public Works and Public Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono, State Enterprises Minister Rini Soemarno, and Chief of Presidential Secretariat Darmansjah Djumala.
Jokowi has expressed hope that the Becakayu toll road construction would be completed by the end of 2017.
Earlier last June, the head of state reviewed the construction process and admired its rapid progress. He said the 21-kilometer toll road could become the solution to traffic congestion in the area.
The construction of the Becakayu toll road began 20 years ago. When he was the Jakarta governor, Jokowi had even questioned the presence of pillars that had turned blackish and the absence of construction activity.
"In November 2014, the construction began again, and I was surprised about the progress made due to the work that had been carried out day and night," the president remarked.
Asked about land acquisition issues, the president said that there were no significant problems in the construction, because of a river owned by Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing running on either side of the toll road.
Jokowi added that the project was not affected by the budget efficiency measure being taken by the Central Government, because the construction does not use funds from the State Budget.
"This project is done by state-owned enterprises and private companies, so it does not use funds from the State Budget," he said, adding that private companies were still given opportunities to undertake other toll road construction projects.
(Uu.O001/INE/KR-BSR)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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