Rote, East Nusa Tenggara (ANTARA) - The electrification of Mbueain Village in East Nusa Tenggara, the southernmost village in Indonesia, demonstrated the government's persistence in advancing the livelihood of residents, according to Deputy Finance Minister Suahasil Nazara.

"PT PLN (state electricity company) has received the PMN (state equity participation), which has been used to develop electric grids in villages. This demonstrates the presence of the government to the people, through PT PLN tasked with delivering electricity throughout the nation," Nazara stated here, Saturday.

The minister affirmed that it is the government's responsibility to ensure all residents, even those in the remotest areas and islands, such as in Rote, receive electricity access to simplify their lives.

"Electricity will provide great convenience for residents. We hope (electricity) would bolster new spirit (for residents) to work for their family, children to study, and lives to be better in the future," he remarked.

Meanwhile, PT PLN director of distribution, Adi Priyanto, remarked that the company is committed to utilizing the PMN to develop electricity facilities for 282 residents of Mbueain Village.

PT PLN will also utilize the PMN fund to provide electricity for 19,650 families in 97 villages in East Nusa Tenggara this year, he noted.

"PLN electricity in Rote Island, Indonesia's southernmost island with maritime border with Australia, proves the government's presence for the people and realizing fair energy distribution," Priyanto remarked.

Moreover, Mbueain Village Head Ferdi Otniel Boboy remarked that residents had waited since long for electricity to reach the village, and that wait was finally over when the state electricity company connected the village with the electric grid in 2020.

"We express our utmost gratitude to the government, from Mr President to PT PLN, and we are proud to have PT PLN. At last, we can enjoy electricity that makes all residents happy," Boboy stated.

Resident, Mama Lodia, said her life and the family's economy improved after her village was electrified, and she no longer needed to spend her day travelling to the city only to purchase oil for her oil lamp.

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Translator: Kuntum Khaira R, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Sri Haryati
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