Head of Bappenas: Conditions in North Morowali Reflect a Development Paradox

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Minister of National Development Planning/Head of the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas), Rachmat Pambudy, said that the conditions in North Morowali, Central Sulawesi, reflect a development paradox that must be addressed seriously and in a coordinated manner.

Therefore, he affirmed the government’s commitment to encouraging the resolution of infrastructure inequality in the regency.

“This is often referred to as the paradox of Indonesia today. The region is rich, its contribution is large, but its infrastructure is still lagging. This cannot be allowed to continue and must be resolved. The Regent has come all the way here with representatives from the Regional Representative Council (DPD) who know the conditions of the region best. When it’s like this, the point is clear: we will resolve it,” he said when receiving members of the DPD RI from Central Sulawesi and the Regent of North Morowali, quoted from Bappenas’ official statement in Jakarta, Wednesday.

On that occasion, the Regent of North Morowali, Delis Julkarson Hehi, said that his region contributes around IDR 4 trillion per year to the state from taxes and customs duties, plus from the mining sector, totaling around IDR 10 trillion.

However, this large contribution to state revenue is not well matched by the quality of basic infrastructure, especially roads. It is recorded that of the approximately 800 kilometers of regional roads, only about 20 to 28 percent are in good condition, while the rest are damaged to severely damaged.

This condition is considered one of the inhibiting factors in the implementation of the government’s priority programs, so infrastructure is the focus of tasks that must be addressed immediately because the impact will be directly felt by the community, as well as supporting economic growth and reducing disparities in the fulfillment of basic facilities.

In response to the statement by the Regent of North Morowali, Rachmat Pambudy emphasized the importance of regional readiness in planning so that development programs can be immediately followed up.

The meeting is expected to be the initial step in accelerating the handling of infrastructure in North Morowali to support equitable development and optimize economic potential and food security in the region.

“From the regency side, together with the Regional Development Planning Agency (Bappeda), they must prepare a plan that meets national planning requirements. It shouldn’t be like a ping-pong match, where they keep passing the buck,” said the Head of Bappenas.