I have asked SOEs to ensure the distribution runs smoothly and is on targetJakarta (ANTARA) - State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) Minister Erick Thohir ensured that food state enterprises, such as state logistics firm Bulog and state-owned food holding ID FOOD, are ready to optimize the second phase of the food assistance program.
"Alhamdulillah (Thank God), the SOEs will start distributing (under the) food assistance program for 21.3 million needy families today," Thohir remarked while accompanying President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) to check rice supply at the Bulog Warehouse in Bogor, West Java, Monday.
The minister emphasized that SOEs should be able to maintain the trust placed upon them by the government and the president to be able to help the community.
According to Thohir, SOEs have a major role to play not only as the agents of development but also in social aspects, such as helping the community through distributing food assistance.
"I have asked SOEs to ensure the distribution runs smoothly and is on target," he remarked.
To this end, he said, Bulog will be assisted by state-owned courier and logistics company PT Pos Indonesia in distributing rice assistance. With its wide coverage, Pos Indonesia can distribute assistance throughout the country.
"Insya Allah (God willing), SOEs continue to synergize with each other, such as between Bulog and Pos Indonesia, which distribute rice assistance to 34 provinces in Indonesia starting today," he stated.
In addition, the minister remarked that rice stocks in Bulog's warehouses, which amounted to 1.6 million tons, were still sufficient to meet the community's needs.
Meanwhile, the government is conducting the food assistance distribution program from September to November, with each beneficiary family receiving 10 kg of rice.
Thohir said that the rice assistance distribution program reflects the SOEs' commitment to fulfilling the people's needs.
"SOEs will collaborate with many parties, including the National Food Agency and other ministries and agencies, to ensure an optimal aid distribution," he remarked.
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Translator: Kuntum R, Kenzu
Editor: Sri Haryati
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