President Prabowo Targets More Dam Construction from Fuel Import Savings
President Prabowo Subianto believes that budget savings from reduced diesel imports can serve as significant capital for Indonesia to accelerate strategic infrastructure development. One of the main focuses is the construction of more dams to support sustainable national food security.
He made this statement while inaugurating five dams in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB). The President noted that these five dams represent a state investment of approximately IDR 9.79 trillion and are projected to provide substantial benefits to the agricultural sector.
Prabowo revealed that Indonesia has achieved significant milestones in the energy sector by reducing its dependence on diesel imports through the use of palm oil-based biodiesel. The efficiency gained from this policy is believed to be capable of funding more massive infrastructure projects. “Imagine, with B50 we will save IDR 170 trillion. Imagine how many dozens of dams we can build each year,” he said.
The President explained that the five newly inaugurated dams are expected to significantly increase agricultural production. With the support of modern agricultural technology and superior seeds, this infrastructure is projected to contribute to the production of up to one million tonnes of rice.
Furthermore, the Head of State stressed that infrastructure development is a long-term process requiring consistency across different administrations. He emphasised that nation-building cannot be completed in a short time. “The development of a nation is a great task, a long struggle. Nation-building is not a matter of one or two years,” he stated.
On this occasion, Prabowo also expressed his gratitude to all parties involved, including the Coordinating Ministry for Infrastructure and the Ministry of Public Works. He admitted he was pleased to be able to complete and inaugurate projects whose construction had begun back in 2019.
Concluding his speech, Prabowo thanked the people of NTB for their support, which he considered very loyal. He affirmed his commitment to repaying that trust through development that has a direct impact on the people’s welfare. “I feel very proud. I feel honoured to be invited here directly, to meet the people of NTB who, as it happens, have always supported me from the start. Even though I lost many times, NTB remained loyal,” he concluded.