Pertamina Doubles LPG Supply
13 February 2015 12:40 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – State oil and gas company is doubling its LPG supply this rainy season, focusing on agricultural areas, to help farmers dry their rice crops using ovens during wet days.
The use of gas ovens to dry crops is depleting LPG supply for household needs. Pertamina spokesman Ali Mundakir yesterday said there are already cases of 3-kg LPG cylinders scarcity in Subang, West java, an area known for housing most of Indonesia's rice mills and barns. The condition even forced locals to use firewoods to cook.
Pertamina has started distributing the extra LPG supply on February 12 and 13. Ali said the company will also investigate what is causing the scarcity, since agent distribution is running normally.
Herry Pratikno, chairman of Subang's Oil and Gas National Corporate Association (Hiswana Migas), said that the LPG scarcity has been going on over the past month. The association is also investigating the cause, and will stop giving supplies to agents that practice fraudulent, he said.
ANDI IBNU | NANANG SUTISNA