Bobby Nasution Transforms Sipiongot's Fate After 81 Years of Isolation

For the people of Sipiongot, road construction is not merely an infrastructure project. The road, which is now beginning to open up, symbolises the end of decades of isolation, difficult economic access, and the struggle of residents who had to walk for hours through mud to bring their harvests to market. This transformation prompted the Sipiongot community to hold an upah-upah ceremony for North Sumatra Governor Bobby Nasution at the residence of North Sumatra DPRD Deputy Speaker Ihwan Ritonga in the Menteng Indah Complex, Medan, on Sunday (28/6/2026). During the event, which was combined with a recitation by the Dolok Sipiongot and Surrounding Areas Family Association (IKDS), many residents recalled how their region had long been synonymous with underdevelopment due to a lack of infrastructure. North Sumatra DPRD Deputy Speaker Ihwan Ritonga stated that the current development marks a turning point for Sipiongot, which had not experienced comprehensive road construction for 81 years. “For 12 years in the DPRD, I have continuously overseen this issue. Previously, construction was done little by little, two kilometres, five kilometres, but it was never completed. Now the road connecting this isolated area is being handled seriously,” he said in a written statement on Sunday (28/6/2026). According to Ihwan, the North Sumatra Provincial Government has allocated a budget of approximately Rp283 billion for the construction and repair of 13 road sections in the Sipiongot area and its surroundings. The impact is already being felt by the community. Previously difficult access is gradually opening up, residents’ mobility is becoming easier, and hopes for an economic revival are growing. “This area used to be called underdeveloped. Now the people feel cared for and have new hope for the future,” he said. The stories shared by the community during the dialogue were emotional. Janji Manahan Village Head Ali Mutarman Dalimunthe recalled how difficult life was when he was a child. “I was born in 1980. When I was in sixth grade, going to Sipiongot Market meant walking while carrying the harvest on my shoulders. The road was muddy and very difficult to traverse,” he said. Meanwhile, Siburbur Village Head Sahbuddin Ritonga recounted that residents used to spend up to three hours just to travel about five kilometres to the traditional market. These conditions made the distribution costs for agricultural and plantation products very high. As a result, the selling price of palm oil in the area was much lower than in other regions. Residents now hope that road construction will continue so that economic activity can develop further and their welfare can improve. In front of the Sipiongot community, Bobby Nasution emphasised that road construction is not a reason for excessive praise, as it is the government’s obligation. However, behind this commitment, Bobby shared an unforgettable experience from when he inspected the conditions in Sipiongot firsthand. He recounted travelling through the area in the early hours of the morning when road access was still extremely difficult. The journey from Labuhanbatu to South Tapanuli made him see firsthand the hardships faced by people in remote areas. “I passed through at two in the morning. In the middle of the road, our vehicle got stuck, and we slept in the forest. That was the first time I saw a village in such a condition that made me cry on the spot since becoming a regional head,” Bobby revealed. According to Bobby, the Sipiongot road construction is one of the promises that must be fulfilled during his leadership term. “The Sipiongot road is being built because the community needs it. Let there no longer be the term underdeveloped region or an area that seems not to be on the development map,” he asserted. In addition to road construction, Bobby also promised to prepare a scholarship programme for the children of Sipiongot so they have greater opportunities to continue their education.