Bogor Deputy Regent: Mining Halt Impacts Infrastructure Projects
Bogor Regency (ANTARA) - Bogor Deputy Regent Ade Ruhandi stated that the cessation of mining activities in the western region of Bogor Regency has the potential to impact the acceleration of infrastructure development and several strategic projects in the area.
The man, familiarly known as Jaro Ade, when met in Cibinong on Wednesday, explained that mining materials remain a primary need in the construction of roads, schools, health facilities, and national projects currently underway in the Bogor region.
“Government development that is mandatory includes infrastructure, health, and education. All of them require materials,” said Jaro Ade.
He emphasised that the Bogor Regency Government fully supports West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi’s steps in evaluating and improving mining governance in the Bogor region.
Jaro Ade explained that the need for mining materials is also related to the development of national strategic projects, such as dams, toll roads, and the acceleration of repairing damaged roads in Bogor Regency.
He assessed that a total halt to mining activities has the potential to trigger an increase in material prices because they must be brought in from outside the region.
“If materials are procured from afar, the unit price becomes unreasonable. For example, the material price is Rp350,000 per cubic metre; if from outside, it can reach Rp525,000 to Rp550,000,” he said.
“What must be wary of is that work in the middle of the road is not left unfinished because there are no materials,” he added.
He also asked the public to respond to the mining polemic wisely because the government is preparing short-term to long-term solutions.
According to him, public aspirations supporting or opposing mining activities must both be respected because each has different reasons.
The Bogor Regency Government, he continued, is currently accelerating the construction of a special mining route as a long-term solution to address traffic and social impact issues.
He mentioned that a budget of around Rp100 billion has been prepared to support the acceleration of the construction of that mining road.
“The Regent has prepared a budget of Rp100 billion. We are also endeavouring to collaborate with businesspeople for land grants to reduce the regional budget allocation,” said Jaro Ade.
In addition, the West Java Provincial Government is said to have allocated a budget of around Rp100 billion for the construction of provincial roads in the Parung Panjang area and surroundings.
Jaro Ade asked the public to be patient in waiting for the mining arrangement process and the preparation of supporting infrastructure being undertaken by the government.
“The Governor and the Regent certainly have the best concepts for the short, medium, and long term for the interests of the Bogor Regency community,” he said.