Wednesday, 02 December 2020
EXPOSE TO WEST KUTAI REGIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIC ACTIVITIES
Samarinda, (4/2/2019). West Kutai Regency, facilitated by the East Kalimantan Province Regional Development Planning Agency, conducted an Expose on Strategic Activities for West Kutai Regional Infrastructure Development. Taking place in the Propeda Meeting Room, the activity was opened by the Head of the Regional Infrastructure Division of Bappeda, East Kalimantan Province, Yusliando, ST
On this occasion the expose was delivered directly by the Deputy Regent of West Kutai H. Edyanto Arkan, SE.
Edy mentioned several challenges in West Kutai Regency regional infrastructure development, including; 1) Connectivity roads between villages, sub-districts and centers of economic activity are in steady condition at only 47.87%; 2) Large areas and long distances between villages and sub-districts require very high infrastructure financing; 3) Decrease in fiscal capacity for development.
Edy said there were 6 (six) proposals for strategic regional infrastructure needs to support the economic development of West Kutai Regency, First Construction of the Aji Tulur Jejangkat Bridge; Second, Improvement of the Tebisaq Road - Gunung Bayan – Muara Pahu – Penginggahan; Third, Improvement of the Sakaq Tada Village Road - Muara Jawaq – Abit; Fourth, Improvement of the Muara Tokong - Besiq Axis Road; Fifth, Improvement of the Lakan Bilem-Intu Lingau-Merang Road; Sixth, Simpang Pering Taliq – Lemper – Deraya – Gerunggung - Tanjung Soke.
Edy explained that the entire proposed infrastructure, if properly developed, could provide great benefits for increasing economic and social growth for the community as well as supporting investment in the plantation, agriculture and fisheries sectors, especially in areas that have potential for plantation, agriculture and fisheries products.
For example, Edy said regarding the construction of the Aji Tulur Jejangkat Bridge, the ATJ Bridge can open connectivity to the national road (Jalan Barong Tongkok – Mentiwan - Kutai Kartanegara Regency boundary), as well as support access to the state border (Mahkam Ulu Regency), the ATJ Bridge can also shorten the distance to the capital of East Kalimantan Province with a distance of ± 1000 Km from the existing road space, it can provide great economic and social benefits for the people of Kutai Regency West and surrounding areas, as well as increasing economic growth and supporting investment in the plantation sector.
On a national scale there are several activities on national roads (roads to national strategic and provincial strategic areas) such as, 1) Maintenance of rehabilitation of the Major Gusiq - Blusush intersection; 2) Minor Rehabilitation Maintenance at Simpang Blusuh – Simpang 3 Damai - Barong Tongkok – Mentiwan (Sendawar); 3) Preservation of the reconstruction of the Busush - Simpang 3 Damai-Barong Tongkok - Mentiwan (Sendawar) intersection; 4) Preservation of the Reconstruction of Simpang Blusuh - Central Kalimantan Province Boundary.
Edy hopes for assistance from the central government through the APBN and provincial Bankeu considering the limited budget of the West Kutai Regency government to meet infrastructure development needs in the context of regional equality. According to him, so far the budget from the Special Allocation Fund and General Allocation Fund from the central government for infrastructure development is still very small. (ft)
