REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla inaugurated the Nusantara Jaya Expedition 2015 at the Military Sea Traffic Command Port of Tanjung Priuk Jakarta on Monday morning.
Kalla and his wife Mufidah arrived at the port accompanied by Indonesian Naval Chief of Staff Ade Supandi, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Indroyono Soesilo, and Minister of National Development Planning Andrinof Chaniago.
Kalla appreciated the program, which aims to ease the lives of people in border regions.
"The Nusantara Jaya Expedition will enable people in rural areas to receive the same services and daily goods as those received by people in Java," he pointed out.
In addition, Minister Soesilo stated that the expedition will also test the sea toll road and reach people in border and remote areas, particularly to deliver their daily needs for the fasting month and Idul Fitri.
"President Joko Widodo always reiterated the importance of connectivity and national development. He also questioned why several goods could be sold out in foreign countries during Christmas and New Year's celebrations, while the prices of goods in Indonesia surged (in the same period)," he remarked.
As many as 4,000 people will participate in the expedition by boarding vessel KRI 593-Banda Aceh, 86 pacer ships and two hospital ships, "Doctor Share."
KRI 593-Banda Aceh will function as the mother ship and will sail the Jakarta-Makassar-Sorong-Saumlaki-Jakarta route. The pacer ships will load volunteers and aid from ports to the destination areas.
During the expedition, several goods will be distributed, such as additional food products, daily needs, study material, school equipment, seeds, holy books, water tanks, generators, solar cells, television sets and satellite dishes.
It will involve 250 volunteers and journalists who will be trained in maritime affairs and leadership during the journey.
Furthermore, the 30-day program commencing on June 1 includes halts at as many as 540 ports in 22 provinces.
Besides the distribution of aid, the expedition will also involve social activities for the benefit of the people in remote and border areas.
Several institutions support the program, including the Coordinating Ministry of Maritime Affairs, the Indonesian Navy, the Ministry of Transportation, non-governmental organizations, and other ministries and state enterprises.
Ikuti Whatsapp Channel Republika
