"In 2019, there will be 48 new dams to be built, and a number of infrastructure projects to be completed," Basuki said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Public Works and Housing Minister (PUPR) Basuki Hadimuljono said the government has no plan to build new infrastructure projects in 2019 excepting dam projects.

"We at the PUPR Ministry, focus more on carrying out and completing programs. There would be no new project other than damming up rivers," Basuki said after attending the House Representative plenary session of draft state budget for 2019 here on Thursday.

He said the ministry will concentrate more on completing projects already under construction and those with target to be completed in 2019 such as Trans Papua toll road, Manado-Bitung toll road in North Sulawsi, Balikpapan-Samarinda toll road in East Kalimantan and the Trans Sumatra toll road.

He said the Trans Java toll road project is expected to be completed by the end of 2018 and work will continue to build 48 new dams in 2019.

"In 2019, there will be 48 new dams to be built, and a number of infrastructure projects to be completed such as Trans Papua, Manado-Bitung, and Balikpapan-Samarinda toll road project and to continue with the Trans Sumatra toll road," Basuki said.

President Joko Widodo, when presenting the draft state budget 2019 here on Thursday, said the government will continue work next year to finish infrastructure projects needed for regional development.

The government plans to build 667 kilometers of new roads, 905 kilometers of toll roads, 48 units dams and 162,000 hectares of irrigation systems using fund from the state budget.

So far since 2015, the government has built, reconstructed and enlarged 12,783 kilometers of roads,and national highways, and built 11 new airports. In 2016 and 2017, around 369 kilometers of rail tracks were built and completed.

One breakthrough is development of infrastructure in the country would be carried out under an infrastructure development financing scheme, non state budget, by involving the private sector.

"However, under the present condition with global financial turbulence, the government has to be more careful to protect the financial sustainability of the infrastructure projects and to minimize risks," President Jokowi said. (SYS/AS)

Reported by Mentari Dwi Gayati

(T.SYS/A/H-ASG/A/E002) 17-08-2018 07:51:59

Reporter: antara
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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