Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) targets to open 100 one-price fuel distribution agents by 2024 to realize fuel price equality across the nation.

"We are targeting 100 more locations in 2024 to achieve our target," ESDM Minister Arifin Tasrif stated during a press conference titled "ESDM Performance Achievements in 2023" in Jakarta on Monday (January 15).

Tasrif remarked earlier that the government had realized the target of 100 percent of the one-price fuel program at 89 locations in 2023.

This program is a government initiative to realize social justice for all Indonesian people by providing fuel at the same price throughout Indonesia, he noted.

According to the minister, this program has also brought tangible benefits for communities, especially in frontier, outermost, and remote (3T) areas as well as island areas, which earlier often encountered difficulties in obtaining fuel supplies at affordable prices.

Based on data from the Downstream Oil and Gas Regulatory Agency (BPH Migas), 512 one-price fuel distribution agents are now spread across several remote islands in Indonesia.

These are located at Sumatra, with 80 distributors; Java and Madura, three distributors; Bali, two distributors; Nusa Tenggara, 94 distributors; Kalimantan, 108 distributors; Sulawesi, 50 distributors; and Maluku and Papua, 175 distributors.

"Looking at the distribution map, we see that the number in Java, Madura, and Bali is not a lot. Nusa Tenggara also needs more distributors, similar to Maluku, Papua, and Kalimantan," Tasrif stated.

He remarked that with the one-price fuel program, people in 3T areas can enjoy subsidized fuel at the same price as those in other areas, which can increase their access to affordable and quality energy.

"We will continue this program to help more people receive fuel at the same price in all locations," the minister emphasized.

Related news: KKP, SOEs ministries collaborate to ease subsidized fuel distribution
Related news: Ministry guarantees smooth distribution of social aid in 3T areas

Related news: Normalcy restored in fuel distribution: Pertamina Papua

Translator: Benardy Ferdiansyah, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Azis Kurmala
Copyright © ANTARA 2024