President Joko Widodo has targeted one hundred thousand homes in West Java province to have electricity connected at the end of 2018. This was conveyed when he reviewed the electricity installation in Bantarjati village, Bogor Utara sub-district, Bogor city Saturday. According to the President, the high cost of installing home electricity is still an obstacle for the lower class community. Therefore the government through the National Electricity Company provides free installation facilities to the poor.
"The first is that there is no electricity yet, some have electricity but connect with neighbors or with parents. Now we connect independently. It's cheaper than the data we receive. Usually per month it’s Rp50 (thousand) or Rp60 (thousand). After being independent, like this, the payment is less than Rp25 (thousand) to Rp30 (thousand). And more connections, can have a TV, iron, or rice cooker. This means that if in West Java Province there are still so many withoutelectricity so we’ll see in other provinces. Because the connection fee is indeed not cheap," said Jokowi.
Meanwhile, regarding the target of 35 thousand megawatt electricity development, President Joko Widodo said that the program was still ongoing. Although there is a possibility of failing to reach the target of 35,000, the President said that the current achievements should be appreciated
"But even though let's say that later 20,000 or 20,000 are realized, it is still good. The first 5 years are usually only 3,000-3,500, this time it can be up to 18,000 or 20,000 or 25,000. How many times compared to previously," said the President
The President further stated that the construction of the 35 thousand megawatt electricity project was adjusted to industrial growth. The government considers that there is a balance between the burden borne by the State Electricity Company and the existing needs. (VOI/Ndy / trans by PUTRI)