KANILAN TABAK – PROTOCOL AND PUBLIC COMMUNICATION BUREAU. Central Kalimantan Governor Sugianto Sabran inaugurated Sei Kuala Bridge in Tabak Kanilan Village, Gunung Bintang Awai District, South Barito Regency, Friday (01/24/2020).

The activity, which was held in Tabak Kanilan, was a series of inaugurating other bridge namely Bangkuang Bahalang Bridge located in Kurau Kuala District, South Barito Regency  or located nearly in the border between East Barito Regency.

In his remarks, Governor said that it was very important to develop infrastructure in Central Kalimantan. “Once infrastructure is completed, the budget burden and price of basic needs become less expensive,” he explained.

Governor also emphasized that all regencies in Central Kalimantan become his concern. “I put the same concern to all regencies in Central Kalimantan because Central Kalimantan Governor does not belong only to a particular regency,” he said.

Meanwhile, Regent of South Barito Eddy Raya Samsuri hopes that infrastructure development can improve people’s economy. “Hopefully it can improve the economy of Central Kalimantan, one of which is in South Barito Regency,” said the Regent.

It was also conveyed that the people expressed their gratitude for the development run by the Governor and Vice Governor. “Although not all roads and bridges have been repaired, the community is grateful for the construction of these two bridges,” he added.

The arrival of Governor who was accompanied by Regent of South Barito and his entourage in the village of Tabak Kanilan was welcomed by the District Head of Gunung Bintang Awai and Members of District Leadership Coordination Forum along with all people who had already been at the location.

The bridge inauguration was marked by signing the inscription and pressing the sirine and continued with the survey and writing of testimonials by Central Kalimantan Governor, Vice Governor and Regent of South Barito. The testimonials were related to the achievement of realization and targets / programs of the public works and housing in South Barito Regency.

During the survey, Governor Sugianto Sabran said that infrastructure development could revive the economy. “Good connectivity, good infrastructure can revive the economy in the surrounding area, “ he said.

The Governor added, a meeting would be held with relevant agencies to widen roads in this area, namely from 4.5 meters to 6 meters, whose construction was budgeted in 2021. “Road widening is expected to reduce accidents, accelerate the flow of goods, and attract more investors, “ he concluded.

Meanwhile, Vice Governor Habib Ismail Bin Yahya said that the visit to South Barito was intended to greet the people and to socialize the development run by Central Kalimantan Governor. “That is for the welfare of community, connectivity, integration between all infrastructure in Central Kalimantan to open isolation of the regions in Central Kalimantan, “ said Vice Governor.

In line with the Governor and Regent of South Barito, Vice Governor said, with the opening of access in the regions, the economy in the villages, districts and province will be more opened and the prosperity will increase.

For more than 20 years, Sei Ayuh Bridge with ironwood construction had damaged condition. The improvement of Sei Ayuh Bridge shortens the distance between South Barito and North Barito from 101 km to 61 km and shortens the travel time of 45 minutes because previously the route had to go through Ampah, Dusun Tengah, East Barito.

To repair the bridge, Central Kalimantan provincial government has provided more than Rp 19 billions to replace the construction of Sei Ayuh Bridge with steel frame and to strengthen the river bank with sheet piles. As for Bangkalang Bahuang Bridge, Provincial Government has provided more than Rp 9.5 billions to replace the bridge construction with pile slab construction.

The two bridges have a length of 60 meters each with a width of 7 meters for the Sei Ayuh Bridge and 9 meters for the Bangkuang Bahalang Bridge. (ran/eka/sty/translated by feb)