No more land for gas stations

No more land for gas stations

JAKARTA (JP): Deputy Governor for Economic Affairs Tb. M. Rais
said yesterday that the city administration will not allocate
land for erecting new gas stations.

He said the city administration realizes the number of gas
stations in the city is inadequate but it isn't possible for the
administration to allow any more gas stations to be built on city
land.

"The city administration can not allocate land for new gas
stations. It is impossible to convert sport fields or greeneries
into gas stations," Rais told reporters at the City Hall
yesterday.

Pertamina, the state-owned oil company, urged the city council
to help build new gas stations because the current number is
inadequate to meet the public's needs.

Kompas reported that according to Pertamina there should be
270 gas stations in the city. Currently there are only 153, of
which 34 will be removed to make way for the development of
public parks.

Rais said the city administration realizes there is a problem
with gas distribution in the city which is due to the increasing
number of vehicles. He believes the only way to solve the problem
is to allow private companies to invest in land for the
establishment of gas stations.

"I believe there are a lot of private companies interested in
this business, therefore let them provide the land," Rais said.

He said the city administration will issue permits to any
proposal to build gas stations as long as all the requirements
are fulfilled such as building permits and official permits for
land use.

Rais said the city administration is cooperating with
Pertamina in issuing such permits.(yns)