VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

President Joko Widodo inaugurated the Balikpapan-Samarinda toll road sections II, III and IV, Tuesday (12/17/2019). The inauguration took place at the Samboja toll gate in Kutai Kartanegara Regency, East Kalimantan.  In his remarks, the President expressed his hope that the first toll road on the island of Kalimantan could increase connectivity both between communities and the mobility of goods. It is also hoped that the Balikpapan-Samarinda toll road will also be able to encourage the development of potential industrial areas in Kalimantan such as palm oil and coal. The President also said that this toll road would later accelerate access into the new capital region of Indonesia.

"So firstly, these toll roads will facilitate connectivity between the two growth centers in East Kalimantan, Samarinda city and Balikpapan city which are cities of business economic activity. Secondly, this toll road will also encourage production areas such as industries in the palm oil sector, coal oil gas commodities and agricultural commodities directly connected to the distribution area. Thirdly, this toll road will accelerate access to enter the area that we have decided, namely the national capital region," said the President.

President Joko Widodo has just inaugurated the Balikpapan-Samarinda toll road sections II, III and IV, with a total length of 57.8 km. Overall the Balikpapan-Samarinda toll road has a length of 99.3 km. The President is targeting the construction of the last two sections, namely sections I and V, to be completed in 2020.

Accompanying the President were Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono, Minister of State Enterprises Erick Tohir, Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung and East Kalimantan Governor Isran Noor. (VOI / Ndy / AHM)