Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Basuki Hadimuljono drew attention to three focuses of infrastructure development planning in 2023.

In 2023, Minister Hadimuljono stated that the work program planning at the PUPR Ministry would give emphasis to three aspects: to improve the quality of infrastructure development; focus on optimization, maintenance, operation, and rehabilitation (OPOR); and focus on priority programs.

“I want to reiterate President Joko Widodo’s message on the 76th Public Works Service Day that in future, we must build more quality infrastructure, which is smart and environmentally friendly, which opens access and improves connectivity between regions and increases efficiency as well as productivity to realize an Advanced Indonesia,” Minister of PUPR noted in a statement received in Jakarta, Friday.

The minister remarked that the PUPR Ministry is handling aspects related to damaged roads in the Liang Melas Datas area in Karo District, North Sumatra, in response to the aspirations of citrus farmers in Karo District.

“This is what is meant by connecting the national road to the production road. One of these aspects should be prioritized apart from connecting to the industrial areas, so that the benefits can be felt by the community directly,” he noted.

Efforts to realize quality infrastructure must start from meeting the readiness criteria and quality planning. Supervision must also be more stringent to ensure quality.

The ministry will pay greater attention to priority activities for infrastructure that have been built, including “Operation, Maintenance, Optimization, and Rehabilitation” (OPOR).

“All infrastructure that has been built must be put into operation immediately. The infrastructures should be maintained,” he stated.

The ministry will conduct optimization to complete and provide benefits from the infrastructure that has been built.

The ministry will thereafter conduct rehabilitation of infrastructure that had reached a certain construction age or had been affected by disasters. As a result, its functions are returned to normal, such as irrigation rehabilitation to increase cropping intensity.

According to Minister Hadimuljono, the third focus of the PUPR Ministry is in accordance with the direction of the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) to prioritize support for 118 areas developed in 2023.

“We are also directed by the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture to help deal with extreme poverty through the construction of infrastructure, such as housing and sanitation,” he stated.

Source: Antara News