Fuel money to be disbursed in NTT

KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: The central government will soon disburse funds worth Rp 229 billion (US$23.8 million) to 888 subdistricts across East Nusa Tenggara, a provincial government spokesman announced on Friday.

The money, which was saved from the fuel subsidy cuts and earmarked for the poor, would be used for infrastructure development in the province, including the building of bridges, and the provision of clean water, Umbu Saga Anakaka said.

The disbursements would start in September this year, he said.

The provincial government was encouraging people to propose projects that benefited their areas, Anakaka said.

"The projects will be based on proposals by the people and will not be dictated by either the provincial or regional governments. People know their own needs better than the government does," Anakaka said. -- JP