Gibran Promises Cold Storage Facilities and a Special-Use Fuel Station for Fishermen in Rote Ndao

Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia Gibran Rakabuming promised the development of fishery-support facilities, ranging from cold storage and an ice plant to a dedicated fuel station for fishermen, during a dialogue with seaweed farmers in Rote Ndao Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province (NTT). The pledge was delivered after Gibran received various proposals from farmers and local governments regarding the needs to support fishermen’s activities along the coast. He said the facilities would be followed up with the relevant ministries. ‘So we want, later on, at the places proposed by the Regent, places productive for fisheries must have cold storage spaces, there must be a cold storage, there must be an ice-plant for slurry ice, and there will also be a dedicated fuel station for fishermen,’ Gibran said on Friday, 22 May 2026. In the dialogue, Gibran also highlighted the potential for developing seaweed and fishermen’s villages in Rote Ndao. He assessed that the marine sector in the area needs to be supported with adequate facilities. In addition to the maritime sector, Gibran received reports on infrastructure, education, and health conditions in Rote Ndao. The reports included the need to revitalise puskesmas and improve facilities at the regional hospital. ‘Coordination with the relevant ministries needs to be strengthened so that the community’s needs can be followed up by the central government as quickly as possible,’ he said. He explained that the visit forms part of the central government’s efforts to ensure that downstreaming programmes and the strengthening of coastal economies run optimally in the region. Earlier, the Vice President visited the National Salt Industry Centre (K-SIGN) in the Rote Timur sub-district, Rote Ndao. During the working visit, the Vice President was accompanied by East Nusa Tenggara Governor Emanuel Melkiades Laka Lena, Director General for Marine Resources Management A. Koswara, and Nindya Karya’s President Director Firmansyah.