"We continue to strive to achieve optimal distribution of CPP to meet people's demand for food commodities," said Rachmi Widiriani, director of food distribution and reserves at Bapanas, in a statement issued on Friday.
For example, Bapanas used the Sea Toll Motor Vessel (MV) Kendhaga Nusantara 7 to send rice to Labuan Bajo Port in East Nusa Tenggara province, she informed.
She directly witnessed the arrival of the ship, which transported 6 containers containing a total of 108 tons of rice, at the port.
The sea toll ship also docked at other harbors in NTT province, including Waingapu Port (20 containers), Ende Port (10 containers), and Larantuka Port (14 containers), to deliver rice.
The rice will be stored in the State Logistics Agency's (Bulog) regional warehouses in each region.
"Overall, the MV Kendhaga Nusantara 7 has delivered approximately 918 tons of rice to NTT through the Sea Toll Movenas (National Movement) program," said the Bapanas director.
Supporting the distribution of rice through the sea toll program is expected to reduce the price of the food commodity and expedite the distribution of rice assistance to beneficiary families (KPM) in NTT province, she added.
"Currently, the government is striving to complete the target of distributing 10 kilograms of rice assistance to each KPM by May 2023, especially the ones in the remote areas," she noted.
Andre Mulpyana, expert staff for sea transportation and maritime affairs to the Transportation Minister, said that the sea toll ship program provides cheaper logistics services than commercial ones and can reach more regions.
"We are always ready to collaborate in improving the food distribution services to the outermost or remote areas through the sea toll route," he added.
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Translator: Kuntum Riswan, Uyu Liman
Editor: Anton Santoso
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