"I find the capacity (of the cold storage) consistent with the needs. This is good," he remarked while inaugurating the village on Thursday.
Jokowi observed that the government decided to build a cold storage facility, with adequate capacity rather than a larger one to aim for efficiency, thereby reducing the risk of it being abandoned due to insufficient electricity supply.
"I do not want to see large cold storage being inoperable due to the inability to provide sufficient electricity. We should simply build moderate ones that are operable," he emphasized.
Bearing that in mind, the head of state urged the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) to oversee the development of infrastructure and human resources in the newly inaugurated modern fishermen village.
He noted that from the economic aspect, the village that runs businesses on a cooperative basis offers ice cubes at a price of only Rp800 (US$0.05) per kilogram, or half the normal price of Rp1,600 (US$0.10), thereby helping fishermen suppress operational costs.
The president expressed hope that the business model would be successful and be emulated at other locations.
Meanwhile, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Sakti Wahyu Trenggono revealed that the government had dedicated a budget totaling Rp22 billion (US$1.4 million) for developing the modern fishermen village (Kalamo) modelling project.
He noted that the KKP had built essential facilities in the village, such as a ship mooring dock, ice factory, a culinary center, a cold storage, a fish landing center, supply kiosks, and a dockyard.
Several supporting facilities, including a training center, a clean water installation, drainage, road lights, a wastewater treatment plant, and a management office, have been prepared, he stated.
He stated that for increasing the aesthetic appeal, the government has built a gapura and an overseeing post, conducted road repairs, and installed a fuel station for fishermen.
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Translator: Sinta, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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