Gorontalo people challenged to build the new province

GORONTALO, North Sulawesi (JP): Gorontalo officials welcomed the establishment of the new province, cautious of the need for qualified human resources.

Mayoralty secretary Gusmar Ismail said here on Wednesday that the establishment of the province of Gorontalo was a challenge for the people to build the new province.

Gusmar addressed the thousands of people, including students, thronging the mayoralty to cheer the House of Representatives' approval of the new province.

"The 12,215 square kilometer province has 800 million tons of limestone deposits worth Rp 12 trillion, gold deposits of 500,000 kilograms worth Rp 16 trillion, and 3.4 million tons of copper worth Rp 7 trillion. Smart and qualified human resources are badly needed to manage all these natural treasures, " Gusmar said.

All 10 factions at the House of Representatives (DPR) agreed on Tuesday to the establishment of the province, formerly part of North Sulawesi.

Gorontalo is the country's 32nd province after Bangka-Belitung province in southern Sumatra and Banten province in western Java were established during the last three months.

An acting governor will be appointed soon after President Abdurrahman Wahid approves the new province.

The Gorontalo province, which covers the regencies of Gorontalo and Boalemo and the mayoralty of Gorontalo, has a population of about 800,000 people.

In addition to mineral deposits, Gorontalo exported a total of 1,040.69 tons of frozen fish from 1996 to 1998 worth US$1,640,275.

"With that much natural resources and annual local revenues of Rp 6 billion, Gorontalo is ready to become a province," Gusmar said.

Yahya Hiola, chairman of the Gorontalo Families Association (KKG), said in a separate interview that the new province needed capable people. "I am optimistic there are many Gorontalo sons qualified to work their own land. They will be able to make Gorontalo province as big as other provinces."

Another local figure, Kadir Buloto, said that the separation of Gorontalo from the North Sulawesi province was historically understandable.

"It was January 23, 1942 when Gorontalo announced its independence from Dutch colonial rule. Two years later Gorontalo decided to join with the Republic of Indonesia fearing internal friction due to the Dutch administrator's anger," said Kadir.

Kadir said the province has a total labor force of 638,112 with unemployment of more than 280,000. "With the new province, job opportunities are expected to be wide open." (30/sur)