"State-owned oil and gas holding company Pertamina has distributed 4,000 liters of diesel fuel. The fuel comes from Tarakan, North Kalimantan. Pertamina used cargo aircraft to bring the fuel to Palu," Rini Soemarno said here on Monday.
In addition, she noted, Pertamina has supplied 8,000 liters of premium and 8,000 liters of pertalite to three gas stations.
Pertamina will supply more fuel every day to overcome the fuel supply shortage.
"The president strongly stressed that fuel must be available to the public. However, we have challenges to distribute fuel quickly and safely to the public as the gas station was heavily damaged by the earthquake or tsunami," she said.
Currently, Palu City has only three gas stations that were not heavily damaged by the disaster.
"Pertamina will operate seven mobile dispensers on Tuesday to distribute fuel quickly and safely," the minister stated.
The government will deliver food and water aid in large quantities to Palu to assist earthquake and tsunami victims in Central Sulawesi, President Joko Widodo earlier stated.
"We will dispatch as much food assistance as possible aboard the Hercules aircraft today," the president stated after attending a ceremony held to observe Pancasila Sanctity Day here on Monday.
He remarked that the assistance will be delivered directly aboard several aircraft. There are also deliveries from Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, and Makassar, South Sulawesi.
The president noted that the food is delivered in large quantities following complaints and problems faced, such as food shortages.
Widodo stated that fuel oil (BBM) was also expected to start entering Palu using special fuel aircraft.
The head of state explained that basic matters, such as victim evacuation, delivery of aid needed by the victims, and electricity supply, must be handled quickly.
Reporting by Rolex Malaha
Editing by Azis Kurmala, Eliswan
Reporter: antara
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
