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PRESIDENT Joko Widodo (Jokowi) inaugurated Sibolga Port in Central Tapanuli District, North Sumatra Province, to support goods and service mobility in western coast of Sumatra.
“I was present during the groundbreaking ceremony of this port development in 2016. And now it is completed. It’s time for us to work and ensure more goods and services using this Sibolga Port. We further push the economy of Sibolga and surroundings to grow,” Jokowi said.
Among those present in the inauguration ceremony were First Lady Iriana, Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi, State Enterprise Minister Rini Soemarno, Chief of the Presidential Staff Moeldoko, North Sumatra Governor Edy Rahmayadi, senior Golkar Party politician Akbar Tanjung, and President Director of Pelindo I Bambang Eka Cahyana.
Jokowi recalled that in 2016, the road from Pangsori to Sibolga had many holes, but now the road was smooth. He expressed his hope that the glory of Sibolga Port in the 1970s would be back again.
The President lauded the reconstruction of Sibolga Port that included the upgrading of its container capacity to reach 20 thousand TEUs. Big ships weighing up to 6,000 GT can now moor at the port. The capacity of its passengers has been significantly increased from 80 passengers to 500 passengers.
“Alhamdulillah (Thank God), the president director of Pelindo just whispered to me that the design of Sibolga Port has won in an Asia and Pacific competition. Besides, (the piers) for ferry and cargo ships are separated so it’s efficient,” he said.
Meanwhile Transportation Minister Budi Sumadi explained that Sibolga Port was also designed as a community gathering venue.
“All construction works of Sibolga Port located in the western coast of Sumatra were carried out by local constructors and it looks pretty. Indeed this is a lifestyle port which will be further developed not only as a port but also a venue for community gathering,” he said,
In 2018, the total number of passengers using Sibolga Port reached 73,085, an increase of 34.80 percent from 54,215 passengers in 2017. [antaranews/photo special]
