REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, PEKANBARU - Governor of Riau Province Annas Maamun revealed on Monday that a new oil reserve, presumably the biggest in Riau, was found in Rokan Hilir District by PT Chevron Pacific Indonesia (CPI).

"Fifteen days ago, I met Chevron officials, and they said that the biggest oil reserve in Riau was located around River Rokan. The volume will be more than the oil deposits in Duri Field in Bengkalis," Governor Maamun claimed on Monday.

The Rokan Hilir District would become the richest in the region if the source was confirmed, he stated, adding that the revenues from the oil reserve will aid to reduce poverty in the region. It was the obligation of the administration and the government to help in overcoming poverty in the region, he stressed.

Moreover, the wealth of Riau Province should be used for its development as the region needed many roads to be constructed and repaired to boost the local economy, the governor emphasized.

"There is also rapid population growth. In Rokan Hilir District, there were 480 thousand residents five years ago, but now there are 790 thousand residents or an increase of 40 percent," the governor pointed out.

Besides oil, Riau is also an important center for palm oil production. According to the Bogor Agriculture Institute, Riau has the most fertile land and the largest number of palm oil plantations on Sumatra Island.

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