Jokowi approves plan to connect Sulawesi-Nusantara with ro-ro ships

Central Sulawesi: President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) approved the suggested operations of roll-on/roll-off (ro-ro) ships in Central Sulawesi to connect the province to East Kalimantan to support the development of the new capital city (IKN) Nusantara, reported ANTARA news agency.

“Earlier, the transportation minister told me about the need for ro-ro ships connecting the provinces of Central Sulawesi and East Kalimantan, with the main goal of supporting the development of the new capital city.

I approve of that,” he remarked in Donggala District, Central Sulawesi.

He made the statement during the inauguration of the rehabilitated and reconstructed ports of Wani and Pantoloan in the Palu Bay area, Donggala.

Jokowi said he approves the suggestion, as he is aware of the fact that Central Sulawesi stores plenty of raw materials required for the development of IKN Nusantara.

“The total value (of the materials) is within the range of trillions (of rupiah) rather than merely billions,” he stressed.

In his speech, the president also emphasised the importance of continuously enhancing the facilities of ports to compete with those in other countries.

He underscored the need establish integrated logistics services at ports by connecting ships with other means of transportation to create more efficient and swift services.

Earlier, Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi said that he had held a discussion with the Central Sulawesi Provincial Government on viable ways to boost connectivity between the IKN and other regions.

He said the operations of ro-ro ships in Central Sulawesi could facilitate distribution of the province’s products, including agricultural ones, to Nusantara.

It should be noted that geographically, Central Sulawesi is directly facing the IKN, he pointed out. —Bernama