"This has indeed been a 20-year period during which the investors have changed. Hence, at the start of 2015, we decided to take over. After taking over, we are working on this, and thank God that (Section 1 of Ciawi-Cigombong) is completed," President Jokowi stated at the Toll Gate Cigombong, Bogor, West Java, on Saturday.
The Ciawi-Sukabumi Toll Road, with a total length of 54 kilometers (km), is divided into four sections: Section I, Ciawi-Cigombong, spanning 15.3 km; Section II, Cigombong-Cibadak, stretching 11.9 km; Section III, Cibadak-Sukabumi Barat, measuring 13.7 km; and Section IV, Sukabumi Barat-Sukabumi Timur, 13 km.
"Determination of the Bogor-Ciawi-Sukabumi toll road auction has been established since 1997. The investors have already changed; I cannot count the number of times. This means it has been 21 years. In 2015, we negotiated to take it over even through tough negotiations," the president stated.
However, only a year later, at the start of 2016, land acquisition for the construction could begin.
"I do not know, why should it take 21 years to start this. I saw right-left and left-right. How beautiful the natural landscape is here. Is that what caused it to take a long time?" the president questioned.
According to the plan, the toll road will also gradually connect Bogor to Cilacap, Central Java.
"We hope this Bogor-Ciawi-Sukabumi toll road will continue to Cianjur and to Bandung and continue east to Cilacap. Hence, once again, I am happy this afternoon to be able to inaugurate this Ciawi-Sukabumi toll road to Section 1, Ciawi-Cigombong," the president stated.
The operation of the Ciawi-Sukabumi Toll Road, with a total length of 54 km, is carried out by the PT Trans Jabar Toll Road Business Entity (BUJT), whose majority share is owned by PT Waskita Toll Road.
Investment value of Rp7.7 trillion is fulfilled by 30 percent of the company`s equity and 70 percent of loans from banks.
Reporting by Desca Lidya Natalia
Editing by Eliswan
Reporter: antara
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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