Fisheries Minister Calls on Authorities to Ensure the Availability of Subsidized Fuel for Fishermen

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Sakti Wahyu Trenggono has called related authorities to ensure enough supplies of subsidized fuel is available for fishermen so that fishery activities will not be disrupted.

While reviewing the availability of the commodity at Tawang Fishery Center, Kendal District, Central Java Province, on Sunday, he also highlighted the importance of ensuring the availability of subsidized fuel was precisely distributed to eligible recipients.

"According to the results of the review, we found that the SPBN (gas station for fishermen) was not operating. Based on the information from the district head, it is because the quota for the subsidized fuel is limited. The fisherman also complained about (the limited availability of) diesel fuel," he said in a press release.

He stated that his ministry continued to coordinate with the state-owned oil and gas company PT Pertamina as well as the Downstream Oil and Gas Industry Regulatory Agency (BPH Migas) to fulfil the subsidized fuel supplies for fishermen in Indonesia.

"We have listed (the supply problems) and we have conveyed it to BPH Migas and Pertamina. Hopefully, it can be resolved soon," he remarked.

In addition, Trenggono asked the police to strengthen the supervision to ensure that the distribution of subsidized fuel was on target. Strict supervision must be carried out to anticipate the foul in distribution of subsidized fuel for fishermen.

"For Central Java area, the regional police chief (Inspector General Ahmad Lutfhi) has said that his party is ready to carry out optimal supervision by sending a team to the field, including to the SPBN," he continued.

Head of Central Java Regional Police Inspector General Ahmad Lutfhi ensured that the police would monitor the distribution of subsidized fuel to the fishermen.

"Across all sites, whether at the oil refinery or the gas stations, our personnel are deployed. (We monitor) whether the gas stations face shortage (on fuel stock) or the supply has been excessive or there is misuse (of the subsidized fuel)," he added.

ANTARA

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