The roads in Karangtawang Village, Kuningan District, West Java, had always been inundated with mud during the rainy season, as well as dust throughout the dry season.
In the past, funds allocated by the provincial government were not sufficient to repair the roads and end this problem.
“But this is all in the past. Nowadays, there are no more dirt roads, as all of them are solid concrete," said Karangtawang Village Secretary Oleh Solehudin.
The village, which is home to 4,365 residents, has used village funds from the central government to develop its village infrastructure, especially its roads.
All of the roads in Karangtawang, from main roads to alley roads, have been repaired using village funds.
Village funds, said Solehudin, are also being used for village office renovations. The one floor worn out building housing the village offices has been transformed into a new two floor buildings.
“We also built a community building, which could be used for sporting events or wedding receptions for our residents,” he said.
Solehudin added that poverty levels in Karangtawang had earlier reached some one thousand people, but by 2019 have been reduced to approximately 200 people.
Karangtawang is known for its melinjo (gnetum gnemon) products, as almost every house in Karangtawang produces melinjo chips. Village authorities also support its residents by displaying melinjo chips at various exhibitions.
“Innovations using melinjo chips have been a feature of our village, so village authorities are also focusing on supporting the marketing of these products in order to elevate our residents’ economies, and the entire village,” said Solehudin.
The village administration has also worked to improve the area’s farming infrastructure, such as roads leading to farms and irrigation systems.
Kiosks which can be rented by local residents have also been erected along main roads which connect villages.
“We constructed eight kiosk using village funds. Aside from providing more business opportunities to our residents, the rental fees are now added to village incomes,” said Solehudin.
Furthermore, in the future the village plans to construct more kiosks, as well as build a village market to boost the village economy, noted Solehudin.
Reporter: Khaerul/Gusti NC Aryani
Editor: Bambang Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
