The minister said that the innovative tool can be used by the local government to support the operations of means of transportation on Bertam Island, including the school transport boats recently provided by the Social Affairs Ministry.
"We have handed over the school transport boats. Next, we will bring and install a tool that can be used to transform plastic waste into fuel," she remarked in Batam City on Friday.
She noted that the tool had already been tested in Bandung, West Java, by its creator, who is an alumnus of the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB).
After completing the installation and preparation of the tool, the government will conduct a training activity for locals to show them how to use and optimize the tool, she added.
"We will surely hold a training activity involving the local community. They will operate the tool," she stated.
Earlier, on the same day, Minister Rismaharini handed over three boats to communities on Bertam, Lingka, and Gara islands, Batam City, to facilitate local children on their way to and from schools.
"We gave these three boats in response to the request conveyed by locals during my previous visit here. They told me that their children had been facing difficulties in reaching their schools since the schools are located across water," she said.
Rismaharini noted that the Ministry of Transportation had given operational suitability certificates for the boats while adding that they are meant to be used to transport dozens of local children to schools, comprising 67 elementary school students and 28 middle and high school students.
The boats, manufactured in Surabaya City, East Java, are equipped with global positioning systems, air conditioner, communication radio, and audio and video systems.
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Translator: Jessica Allifia, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Tia Mutiasari
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