President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) lauded the ongoing development in the new capital Nusantara during his visit to the site on Tuesday and expressed confidence that the construction progress will become more visible in January 2023.

It is also expected that the development of buildings and sites for the private sector will proceed in parallel with government buildings to mark the new capital as the new economic center, he added.

“Next January, God Willing, besides (the continued development of) government buildings, the private sector, investors, and public-private partnership actors also commence their activities (in the new capital). This will make the new capital the new economic center, and we hope the progress will continue,” the President stated, according to a statement released by the Presidential Secretariat here.

He also took note of the ongoing construction of other infrastructures, such as dams, land development, and road access.

“The land development for the ministries and the presidential and vice-presidential offices is all in the preparation stage. The road infrastructure development is also in progress, primarily the toll road connecting the new capital to Balikpapan. I believe this is good progress,” Widodo said.

The President, who arrived at the new capital by sea on board KRI Escolar-871, said that sea routes would be relied upon for transporting logistics to the new capital.

He added that local ports will be developed for public transportation.

“At present, we will first use the existing port, and I believe, later, the current port will be developed for passengers and logistics services,” he said.

Observing the current progress of the new capital’s development, he expressed optimism that Indonesia’s 78th Independence Day commemoration in 2024 would take place in the completed Nusantara city.

“If the work continues with the current pace, I believe, God Willing, we can do it. We must be optimistic,” the President remarked.

Source: Antara News