Rp 249.18b allotted to improve air transportation facilities

JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of Transportation will allocate about Rp 249.18 billion (US$34.14 million) to improve the country's air transportation facilities and services.

Minister of Transportation Haryanto Dhanutirto said yesterday that about Rp 161.83 billion of the sum would be used to improve airport facilities in several airports.

"Part of the funds will be used to finance the extension of Sibolga airport in North Sumatra and Tarakan airport in East Kalimantan," he told a hearing with House Commission IV for transportation.

The minister did not give a detailed breakdown of allocations for each program.

Haryanto said his ministry would also use part of the funds to develop Tanjung Karang Airport in Lampung, Sumatra; Ternate Airport in Maluku province; and pioneering airports in Aceh's Takengon, and Selayar island in South Sulawesi.

Haryanto said the Ministry of Transportation would also use the money to modernize runways in Ende, Maumere, Ruteng on Flores island, East Nusa Tenggara; Muara Taweh in Central Kalimantan; Tarakan in East Kalimantan; Kota Baru in South Kalimantan; Jayapura and Nabire in Irian Jaya province; and Dili, East Timor.

Haryanto said yesterday that approximately Rp 14.83 billion of the funds would be used to improve telecommunications, navigation and electricity facilities in several airports in eastern Indonesia.

"The funds will be used to finance the installation of 21 telecommunications systems, three navigation systems and 16 electricity networks in most airports in the eastern part of Indonesia," he said in written answer to House questions.

Haryanto said his ministry would also allot about Rp 72.25 billion to subsidize 49 pioneering flight routes in remote areas like in Aceh, North Sumatra, West Sumatra, Riau, East Nusa Tenggara, East Timor, East Kalimantan, South Sulawesi, Maluku and Irian Jaya provinces.

"Added to that, the government will also provide a fuel subsidy of about 616,000 liters to finance operation on those pioneering routes," he said.

Haryanto said yesterday his ministry planned to allocate about Rp 323.67 billion for the development of land transportation facilities and Rp 215.10 billion for sea transportation in the same period. (aly)