Government expands SPBUN in coastal areas to reduce fishermen's sea-faring costs

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The government has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding the construction of Fishermen’s General Fuel Filling Stations (SPBUN) in various coastal areas to reduce sea-faring operational costs and improve fishermen’s welfare. Cooperatives Minister Ferry Juliantono, in a statement received in Jakarta on Tuesday, said that cooperative-based SPBUN serves as a strategic instrument in strengthening coastal community economies through easier, more affordable, and targeted access to fuel. “The presence of the state through the establishment of SPBUN, God willing, can change the existing economic structure here and address various previously unfavourable conditions for fishermen,” Ferry said during the inauguration of the SPBUN of the Indonesian Traditional Fishermen’s Union Cooperative (KNTI) in Bakongan Timur Subdistrict, South Aceh. Ferry emphasised that fishermen’s fuel stations not only facilitate access to fuel but also reduce operational costs, increase fishermen’s income, and promote modern and sustainable management of marine potential. He assured that the construction of SPBUN would continue to be expanded, particularly in coastal areas with low fishermen’s welfare levels. “Fishermen communities on the coast are a relatively poor group, so they need support from all parties, including the government,” he stated. In addition, Ferry highlighted the importance of synergy between the Red and White Fishermen’s Village programme and Red and White Village/Urban Village Cooperatives (Kopdes) as drivers of village economies and supporters of the distribution of basic needs and community production outputs. This synergy is realised through an integrated SPBUN development model within the Kopdes ecosystem, which he said would be replicated in various regions. On the same occasion, Deputy Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Didit Herdiawan Ashaf described the inauguration of SPBUN in South Aceh as a concrete step by the government to bring energy justice to fishermen. “This SPBUN is present to lower operational costs and ultimately increase the income of coastal communities,” Didit said. Meanwhile, Regent of South Aceh Mirwan MS stated that his region has great potential in the maritime and fisheries sector with 71 coastal villages and around 7,000 fishermen. According to him, that sector is the backbone of the local economy, so ongoing support is needed to improve fishermen’s welfare.