REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, AMBON -- President Joko Widodo inaugurated Indonesia's longest bridge in Ambon, Maluku province, here on Monday.

The inauguration ceremony was carried out in the middle of the bridge as soon as the President arrived from Jakarta for a visit to the three provinces in the country's eastern region including Maluku.

People in the city welcomed the arrival of the President, greeting him even though there were light showers.

Maluku governor Said Assegaf said he hoped the President's visit would motivate the people to develop the region as well as all of Indonesia.

"Maluku must be developed to become an icon of peace. This Red-White bridge will become an icon of peace," he said.

He said the bridge will resolve many problems facing the city, including making the Ambon Bay again functional. This will help develop the region and many of its vital sectors.

The bridge over the Ambon Bay is the longest in the country, stretching 1,140 meters long.

The bridge is expected to shorten the travel time from and to the local Pattimura airport and the Central Maluku district from one hour by car to only 25 minutes.

Before inaugurating the bridge, President Joko Widodo said he hoped the bridge would also become a new tourism icon and anyone visiting Ambon would be able to enjoy it.

In his inauguration speech, President Joko Widodo said his government is focusing on three areas, namely deregulation, acceleration of infrastructure development and human resource development.

President Joko Widodo will spend the night in Ambon before proceeding to the district of Manokwari in West Papua province. He will be traveling by the air force's Boeing 737-400 to inaugurate the Wasior port.

Port connectivity will link Indonesian regions as Sabang in the country's western most region will be linked with Merauke in the eastern most part. This will help ensure smooth distribution of goods to remote areas.

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