Nutritional Service Unit in Simeulue Suspends Operations Due to Operational Costs
Banda Aceh (ANTARA) - The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has stated that the Nutritional Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG) for the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme in Suka Jaya Village, East Simeulue District, Simeulue Regency, Aceh Province, has temporarily ceased operations due to operational cost constraints.
The BGN Regional Coordinator for Simeulue Regency, Elysa Wulandari, stated in Simeulue on Monday that the suspension of the SPPG operations is due to the fact that operational budgets have not yet been disbursed by the BGN Central office.
“The SPPG in Suka Jaya Village, Teupah Selatan District, Simeulce Regency, has temporarily stopped operating because of constraints regarding operational budgets that have not been released,” she said.
Elysa Wulandari noted that the SPPG operations in East Simeulue District have been halted since Monday (5/10). The suspension is only temporary until the budget is disbursed.
“Once the budget is received, the SPPG will resume operations to serve the MBG programme to school children on Simeulue Island,” said Elysa Wulandari.
Elysa Wulandari mentioned that she has also received information that several other SPPGs in Simeulue Regency have ceased operations, but this information will be shared once the data is complete.
“I will provide the full list of SPPGs that have stopped operating later,” said Elysa Wulandari.
Elysa Wulandari stated that her office is continuing to coordinate with SPPGs in Simeulue Regency to ensure the operation and service of the MBG programme in the island regency of Aceh Province.
“We are continuously coordinating with the BGN Central regarding the budget issue. We hope the operational budget can be disbursed immediately so that the SPPG can resume operations,” said Elysa Wulandari.
Nevy, an MBG distributor in Teupah Selatan District, noted that the distribution of the MBG programme in the area has stopped. However, she was unaware of the specific cause behind the suspension of the national programme.
“Today, there was no distribution for the MBG programme. We do not know the cause, as our duty is simply to deliver food to the target schools. We also do not know when the MBG programme will resume distribution,” said Nevy.
Simeulue Regency is an outermost island territory in Aceh Province. Simeulue Island is located in the Indian Ocean, approximately 180 nautical miles from the west coast of Sumatra.
Simeulue Regency was a division of West Aceh Regency since 1999. Simeulue Regency comprises 10 districts with 138 villages (gampong) inhabited by approximately 96,000 people.