REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, POHUWANTO -- President Joko Widodo has ordered that no more forest concessions be issued in the province of Gorontalo in Sulawesi as very little forest area has been left in the region.
"I saw from above that very little of the forest area has been left. So no new forest concession should be issued here," he said while inaugurating a 2x50MW gas-powered electricity plant in Pohuwanto district here on Friday.
President Joko Widodo and First Lady Iriana visited the district aboard a helicopter from Djalaluddin airport in Gorontalo.
The President instructed that regional military and police command chiefs, military and police resort chiefs and others must pay attention to the ongoing mining activities in the forest areas.
"Forests, including mangroves, must be preserved so that the future generations can inherit these. Also, that will help the survival of the local Maleo bird and other animal species," he explained.
He observed that it was necessary that no concession should be issued as only then the environment would really be safeguarded. "I will monitor it," he stated.
President Joko Widodo also reminded that he would continue monitoring and checking the development of Gorontalo outer ring road.
"The road has been laid for several kilometers. I will keep checking the progress and will exercise the required control," he added.
He argued that since the government has poured money into the project, he would monitor it and inspect it five to six times.
"I hope the construction work of the project is of good quality. It is very essential that a project is not left unattended after the groundbreaking ceremony," he emphasized.
Regarding the electricity plant, President Joko Widodo underlined his wish that the concerned officials would report to him how many households and small and medium businesses would be able to utilize the electricity produced by this plant.
"I want to assure everyone that the power produced here will not only be enjoyed by big entities but also by smaller businesses and common people," he reiterated.
Ikuti Whatsapp Channel Republika