West Kalimantan Provincial Government Accelerates Strategic Infrastructure Development
The acceleration of toll road construction is key to the operational effectiveness of Kijing Port. Without adequate connectivity, the port’s significant potential will not be fully absorbed.
Pontianak (ANTARA) - West Kalimantan’s Deputy Governor, Krisantus Kurniawan, stated that his administration is accelerating the development of several strategic infrastructures during an audience with the Coordinating Ministry for Infrastructure and Regional Development in Jakarta.
“I have held an audience with the Coordinating Ministry for Infrastructure, and this serves as a momentum for the West Kalimantan Provincial Government to convey various proposals for accelerating national strategic projects that are deemed to have a direct impact on regional economic growth,” Krisantus said in Pontianak on Friday.
In the meeting, the Deputy Governor was accompanied by technical officials from the West Kalimantan Provincial Government, including the Head of Bapperida West Kalimantan, Linda Purnama, and the Head of the Public Works and Spatial Planning Department, Iskandar Zulkarnain, as well as representatives from the regional banking and guarantee sectors, held in Jakarta on Thursday.
One of the main focuses of the discussion was the optimisation of Kijing Port’s function as an international port. Krisantus emphasised that this status must be supported by adequate infrastructure connectivity, particularly the construction of a toll road connecting Pontianak to the port area.
In addition, the West Kalimantan Provincial Government is also urging central government support for the dredging of the Kapuas River channel to maintain ship accessibility to Dwikora Port, given the high sedimentation levels that could potentially hinder shipping activities.
Not only physical infrastructure, the Deputy Governor also highlighted the importance of evaluating the Regional Spatial Plan (RTRW) to align with the actual conditions in the region.
He stressed the need for synergy between the central and regional governments, particularly in resolving land dispute issues, people’s mining, and the protection of indigenous peoples’ rights.
On that occasion, the West Kalimantan Provincial Government also proposed the continuation of the Presidential Instruction (Inpres) for Regional Roads as financing support for provincial road development that functions as economic routes for the community.
In response, the Coordinating Ministry for Infrastructure and Regional Development expressed appreciation and a positive response to the various proposals submitted. The central government will follow up through discussions across relevant ministries and institutions.
“This audience is expected to be a concrete step in accelerating infrastructure development in West Kalimantan, while promoting equitable regional development and strengthening legal certainty in spatial planning for the community,” he said.