KOLAKA \u2014 The 66th anniversary celebration of Kolaka district this\nyear has been marked not only by ceremonial events. Amid the\nfestivities, two major projects were officially launched, signalling a\nnew direction for Kolaka\u2019s development that links community economic\ngrowth with environmental commitment.<\/p>\n
Through PT Vale Indonesia Tbk, which is part of Mining Industry\nIndonesia (MIND ID), the company has launched two strategic milestones\nthrough its Indonesia Growth Project Pomalaa.<\/p>\n
The two projects are the revitalisation of Pasar Sentral Mekongga\n(Mekongga Central Market) and the inauguration of an integrated nursery\nfacility with Kolaka\u2019s botanical garden.<\/p>\n
The momentum took place coinciding with the district\u2019s anniversary\npeak on Friday, 28 February 2026.<\/p>\n
For Kolaka residents, Pasar Sentral Mekongga is far more than a\nmarketplace. The market serves as a distribution hub for foodstuffs and\ndaily necessities, supplying at least six other traditional markets\nacross Kolaka district.<\/p>\n
It is at this location that PT Vale has begun revitalising the market\narea covering 7.55 hectares with 38 functional blocks. The area will be\ndeveloped to be more modern, clean, orderly, and environmentally\nfriendly. The project\u2019s investment value is projected to reach\napproximately Rp200 billion, with a completion target within three\nyears.<\/p>\n
President Director of PT Vale Indonesia, Bernardus Irmanto,\nemphasised that the market revitalisation is designed not merely as\nphysical construction.<\/p>\n
He noted that the market\u2019s design is also equipped with waste\nmanagement facilities and other supporting spaces to ensure that\neconomic activities operate more sustainably.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is not just about presenting a market physically, but about\ncreating truly empowered economic life,\u201d said Bernardus in his remarks\nat the launch of the market revitalisation.<\/p>\n
He added that the public space will maintain the traditional market\ncharacter that has long defined Kolaka\u2019s identity.<\/p>\n
Kolaka district head, H. Amri, stated that the revitalisation of\nPasar Sentral Mekongga forms part of the local government\u2019s efforts to\nimprove the quality of trading infrastructure.<\/p>\n
According to him, the reorganisation of stalls and market sections\nwill be made more orderly, whilst ensuring comfort and security for\nvendors and buyers.<\/p>\n
The revitalisation takes place amid a surge in district investment.\nIn 2025, investment realisation in Kolaka reached approximately Rp19.36\ntrillion. The basic metals and mining sector became the largest\ncontributor.<\/p>\n
Strategic national project in Pomalaa<\/p>\n
Indonesia Growth Project Pomalaa is a strategic national investment\nworth approximately Rp67.5 trillion, or equivalent to US$4.29 billion.\nThe project develops integrated nickel mining and processing activities,\nwhilst supporting the national downstream agenda.<\/p>\n
Since entering the construction phase, the project has created more\nthan 2,500 employment opportunities. Local supply chains and micro,\nsmall and medium enterprises (MSMEs) have begun participating.\nContributions to local government revenue have also increased.<\/p>\n
All activities are being conducted using an Environmental, Social,\nand Governance (ESG) approach as part of the company\u2019s long-term\nstrategy.<\/p>\n
Beyond the economic sector, PT Vale has also inaugurated a 5-hectare\nnursery facility in Tanggetada sub-district. The facility is integrated\nwith Kolaka\u2019s botanical garden area, which spans a total of 59\nhectares.<\/p>\n
The nursery has production capacity of up to one million seedlings\nper year. The seedlings prepared include fast-growing plants, endemic\nflora from Southeast Sulawesi, fruit plants, and ornamental plants.<\/p>\n
The plant nursery facility is designed to support land rehabilitation\nand reclamation following mining activities. Bernardus described the\nnursery\u2019s development as a symbol of the company\u2019s seriousness in\nmaintaining a balance between industrial growth and environmental\nconservation.<\/p>\n
The nursery has also been prepared as an environmental education and\nbiodiversity conservation centre that can be utilised by students and\nthe wider community.<\/p>\n
Kolaka district head expressed appreciation for the facility\u2019s\ndevelopment. He regarded the plant nursery centre as having emerged from\nthe collaboration of many stakeholders and as an important component of\nthe district\u2019s long-term development.<\/p>\n
The inauguration of the nursery and the launch of the Pasar Sentral\nMekongga revitalisation mark a strong signal of synergy between the\nlocal government and the business sector in Kolaka. Through Indonesia\nGrowth Project Pomalaa, PT Vale positions industrial investment not\nmerely as a driver of production, but also as a social and environmental\nfoundation for Kolaka\u2019s future and that of eastern Indonesia\u2019s wider\nregion.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/pt-vale-drives-economic-and-environmental-development-through-two-milestones-in-kolaka-1772427754", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }