"We want to ensure preparations for the ASEAN Summit in May. I see that several 'venues' are all ready, and only a few touches are left," President Jokowi stated in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), Tuesday.
President Jokowi emphasized that another important aspect was to promote Labuan Bajo as a super-priority destination.
"The most important thing is that later we also want to promote Labuan Bajo as a super-priority destination in Golo Mori. The view in Labuan Bajo is also good. Everything is good and beautiful," the president remarked.
The president also noted that 10 ASEAN countries will attend the summit.
"Yes, all ASEAN members are present," Jokowi stated.
Earlier, Jokowi had also inaugurated the Labuan Bajo - Golo Mori Access Road, West Manggarai District, East Nusa Tenggara Province, in order to encourage the development of Labuan Bajo as a super-priority tourist destination.
"This morning, we see that the road from Labuan Bajo to Golo Mori has been completed. This will improve connectivity in order for us to develop Labuan Bajo as a super-priority tourist destination," Jokowi stated at the location of the Labuan Bajo - Golo Mori KM 16 access road.
Apart from supporting the development of Labuan Bajo, the president also said that the road connecting Labuan Bajo and Golo Mori can support the development of the surrounding area. The 25-kilometer access road was built using a budget of Rp481 billion.
"The area between Labuan Bajo and Golo Mori will be able to develop properly," the president added.
In a separate statement, Head of the National Road Implementation Agency (BPJN) X NTT, Agustinus Junianto, explained that several bridges were also built along the access road, with a total length of 175 meters.
"In the construction of this road, we are building a 175-meter bridge, and there are four bridges, namely the Naganae Bridge, the Wae Mburak Bridge, the Wae Kenari Bridge, and also the Soknar Bridge," he explained.
Furthermore, Junianto noted that construction of the access road can cut the travel time from Labuan Bajo to Golo Mori.
"Previously, from Labuan Bajo to Golo Mori, it took us about two to three hours, but now, it is only 30 minutes," Junianto added.
Construction of the Labuan Bajo - Golo Mori Road is divided into 5 segments: Labuan Bajo - Sp Nalis, with a length of 6.15 km; Sp Nalis - Sp Kenari, spanning a length of 6.50 km; Sp Kenari - Warloka, measuring a length of 5.10 km; Warloka - Tanamori, with a length of 4.25 km; and road improvement to Golo Mori Village, with a length of 3 km.
Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, East Nusa Tenggara Governor Viktor Laiskodat, and West Manggarai District Head Edistasius Endi accompanied the president at the inauguration.
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Translator: Desca Lidya, Cindy Frishanti Octavia
Editor: Sri Haryati
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