Bappenas pushes for acceleration of national strategic projects in West Sumatra

Padang (ANTARA) - The National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) is encouraging the West Sumatra Provincial Government to accelerate the implementation of ongoing national strategic projects (PSN) in the region.

“We earnestly request that for the PSN in West Sumatra, especially those that are ongoing, we accelerate them,” said Deputy for Regional Development at Bappenas RI, Medrilzam, in Padang on Wednesday.

One of the PSN being pushed for prompt completion is the Padang-Pekanbaru Toll Road project. Bappenas’s emphasis on this toll road project is considered crucial to help accelerate mobility and logistics.

Not only that, Medrilzam also warned the local government to quickly complete the Sitinjau Lauik Elevated Road. This infrastructure, constructed using the Government and Business Entity Cooperation (KPBU) scheme, is also vital for boosting economic growth.

“This must be expedited because it is one of the sources of employment absorption, especially in the construction sector,” he stated.

On one hand, he understands that one of the issues in West Sumatra is related to land acquisition, one of which impacts the Trans-Sumatra Toll Road project. Bappenas has repeatedly conveyed to the Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/National Land Agency (ATR/BPN) to carry out land consolidation.

“But I am confident that with our collective collaboration, we can find the right solutions,” he said.