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)