This will be disruptive and will increase logistics costs, which will lead to inflation. Therefore, we are targeting to repair and improve our infrastructure.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has emphasized that roads used for logistics and production must not be allowed to become severely damaged to prevent a spike in inflation.

Therefore, the government has continued to boost efforts to repair damaged roads in all regions, he said on the sidelines of his visit to PPN 1 Vocational School in North Labuhanbatu District, North Sumatra Province, on Wednesday.

"We cannot let our logistics and production roads to get badly damaged. This will be disruptive and will increase logistics costs, which will lead to inflation. Therefore, we are targeting to repair and improve our infrastructure," he informed.

He said the government will immediately repair damaged road infrastructure in North Sumatra, including the Gunting Saga Road section, which he inspected during a working visit to North Labuhanbatu.

Besides North Labuhanbatu, road repairs will also be carried out in Asahan District, the President informed.

"We will start right away in July. Not only in North Labuhanbatu, but also in Asahan District," he said.

The head of state disclosed that repairs would not only be carried out on roads in North Sumatra, but also in other provinces. However, his administration will carry out an inspection of the roads beforehand.

Specifically for road repairs in North Sumatra, he said that the central government has prepared a budget of Rp800 billion.

He then highlighted that each provincial and district/city government still has the responsibility to repair provincial or district/city roads.

"Do not take the help from the central government for granted. We are here to help you to speed up the progress because of the public's complaints," he emphasized.

On the occasion, he noted that of the 2,600 kilometers of national roads in North Sumatra, at least 260 km are in a damaged condition.

Then, 340 km of the 3,005 km of provincial roads in North Sumatra are also damaged.

Meanwhile, 13 thousand km of the 33 thousand km of district/city roads in North Sumatra are in poor condition.

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Translator: Gilang Galiartha, Resinta S
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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