"Basic necessaries and other items needed by people living in the border regions are very expensive making their buying power very low," he said here on Tuesday.
Citing some examples, he said the price of cement on the border could reach Rp300,000 per bag while in the city it only cost around Rp65,000 while the price of gasoline could reach Rp40,000 per liter while in the city it was only Rp4,500 to Rp6,000.
The situation was like that because access to the inland and remote regions was difficult as only small planes could arrive there and certainly with only a small amount of goods, he said.
Therefore, some airports such as the Yuvai Semiring or Long Bawan in the Nunukan district, Long Ampung in Malinau and Datah Dawai in West Kutai would have their runways extended.
He said up to Rp400 billion would be allocated for the project through a multi-year contract from the 2012-2013 regional budget.
He said the runways of the airports would be extended to 1,600 with a width of more than 30 meters.
He said by 2013 Hercules type planes were expected to be able to land at the three airports.
With the improvement infrastructure problems that had so far hindered development in the regions were expected to be solved.
He said the Krayan airport in Nunuka would also be developed in view of the potentials of the region including tourism.
(Uu.H-YH/HAJM/S012)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
