National

President Opens Several Projects in Lombok
Tuesday, 01 November, 2005 | 22:14 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara:The Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono officially opened around 11 projects worth hundreds of billions of rupiah including a dam, new roads and clean water at West Nusa Tenggara province. The opening was carried out in Menseh village, Praya Timur sub-district, Central Lombok on Monday afternoon (31/10).

The eleven projects formed a packet which were completed by the government over the last seven years. Among the projects are the Pelaperado dam in the Bima regency worth Rp155.54 billion, the Clean Water (drinking water) project at Dusun Menseh, Ganti village, Central Lombok, worth Rp6.12 billion. Then the revitalization of historical buildings at the Limbungan traditional village and Bima Palace costing Rp2.55 billion, the Agropolitan village project in Lombok and Sumbawa at a price of Rp8.93 billion, the fuel compensation program, in form of infrastructure in 367 villages ( in nine regencies/cities) with the project valued at Rp94.94 billion.

In his speech, Indonesian President Yudhoyono said that the reconstruction projects in West Nusa Tenggara would continue. He promised to return to West Nusa Tenggara within a brief time together with Indonesian Minister of Transportation to discuss the continuing project of Lombok Baru International Airport in Central Lombok. “ I fully support the international airport project,” said the President.

According to the President, the islands in West Nusa Tenggara make attractive tourist destinations. He also said that the beaches in Senggigi and South Lombok were beautiful. He added that the natural beauty of the beaches was the same as those in other regions, even abroad. “The solution is that construction of the airport must begin immediately,” said the President. (Sujatmiko-Tempo News Room)