Bappenas to allocate more funds for infrastructure

BATAM. The National Development Planning Board (Bappenas) will raise the funds allocated for infrastructure development by 2.5 times next year to expedite national growth.

The funding allocations will mostly be directed towards developing power plants, roads and airports, National Development Planning Minister, Andrinof Chaniago, who is also the Bappenas chief, said, following a coordination meeting with the provincial development planning boards (Bappeda) of Riau and Riau Islands here on Thursday.

The move is aimed at evenly distributing development gains outside Java, he explained.

Chaniago added that all pioneer airports will be upgraded to enable Hercules planes to land at the airports.

When questioned about the planned construction of a bridge linking Batam to Bintan Islands, he stated that it was not included in the list of the agency's priorities.

However, he pointed out that the development of Natuna, Lingga and several other islands will be high on its list of priorities.

In coastal areas, the government will build new piers, extend the existing piers, and develop ports and fishery facilities, he affirmed.

Furthermore, Chief of the Development Planning Board of Natuna district, Hardinansah, expressed hope that the government will develop the maritime sector.