Terminal built despite dispute

Terminal built despite dispute

JAKARTA (JP): PT. Pelabuhan Indonesia (Pelindo) II has resumed work on the Koja cargo terminal project. Work was disrupted for three months because of residents' protest over land compensation.

"The project has been running smoothly up to today," Pelindo II spokesman, Henry, said in a press release over the weekend.

The new cargo terminal covering an area of 90 hectare is scheduled to be ready for operation by the end of next year.

The new terminal is designed to accommodate 60 percent of the containers shipped to the country through the Tanjung Priok port.

The project was disrupted about three months ago when local residents refused to give up their homes due to very low compensation.

About 700 families demanded compensation higher than the amount offered by the company, which was between Rp 100,000 and Rp 160,000 per square meter. The residents wanted Rp 2,275,000 per square meter.

City Military Commander Maj. Gen. Wiranto warned the residents not to obstruct the cargo terminal project. He called on them to accept Pelindo's offer and move.

The press release distributed on Friday did not say if Pelindo fulfilled the residents' demand for higher compensation.

The company just said that the residents could collect the compensation money at Jl. Penjalai, Tanjung Priok port, instead of the Koja district office. (05)