Labuan Bajo, ABIM (15/3/2023) – The Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) has finished the construction of a new road from Labuan Bajo to Golo Mori in West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, ahead of the 2023 ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo (NTT). President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) signed an inscription at KM 16 on Tuesday (14/3/2023) to officially open the Labuan Bajo-Golo Mori road.
Present at the inauguration were PUPR Minister Basuki Hadimuljono, Cabinet Secretary Minister Pramono Anung, NTT Governor Viktor Bungtilu Laiskodat, West Manggarai Regent Edistasius Endi, Director General of Bina Marga Ministry of PUPR Hedy Rahadian, and PT Wika Agung’s Main Director Budi Waskito.
President Jokowi said the construction of the Labuan Bajo-Golo Mori access road intends to promote connectivity in the context of establishing the Labuan Bajo Super-Priority Destination (DPSP).
“So that the area between Labuan Bajo and Golo Mori can develop correctly, and Labuan Bajo’s development will be progressively supported by the road infrastructure that we are constructing,” President Jokowi said.
The construction of the Labuan Bajo – Golo Mori Access Road also supports access to the Tana Mori Special Economic Zone which is not far from Golo Mori Village. This location will later be used for the leaders’ retreat during the ASEAN Summit 2023 from 9 to 11 May 2023.
According to PUPR Minister Basuki Hadimuljono, increasing the accessibility and connectivity of road and bridge infrastructure networks will ensure smooth, safe, secure, and comfortable travel for road users.
Construction of the Labuan Bajo – Golo Mori access will begin in April 2022 with a state budget of IDR 481 billion. The construction of this 25 km road is divided into 5 segments, namely Labuan Bajo – Simpang Nalis along 6.15 km, Simpang Nalis – Simpang Kenari along 6.50 km, Simpang Kenari – Warloka along 5.10 km, Warloka – Tanamori along 4.25 km, and 3 km road improvement to Golo Mori Village.
“In the past, the road to Golo Mori Village was a dirt and rocky road with a distance of 3 hours. Now it only takes 30 minutes from Labuan Bajo City, with very beautiful views,” Minister Basuki added.
Beside the roads, the quality of 4 bridges has been improved, namely the 60-meter Nanganae Bridge, the 35-meter Wae Mburak Bridge, the 40-meter Wae Kenari Bridge, and the 40-meter Soknar Bridge. The implementation of the construction is under the responsibility of the NTT National Road Implementation Agency (BPJN), the Directorate General of Bina Marga of the PUPR Ministry with implementing contractor PT Wijaya Karya and construction management consultant PT Yodya Karya.
Hedy Rahadian, Director General of Bina Marga, stated that the development of the Labuan Bajo – Golo Mori Access also included quality, aesthetics, and environmental sustainability concepts. So that the roads that are built feel comfortable, safe, and cool since they are lined with trees.
“This tourist road is an arterial two-lane road. So we hope that the public will take care of it and not create side barriers, too many stalls on the side of the road, and even become slums. This is very important to maintain the marketability of tourism in Labuan Bajo,” Hedy Rahadian said.
Also present at the event were Director of Road Development, Directorate General of Bina Marga Satrio Sugeng Prayitno and Head of the NTT National Road Implementation Center (BPJN) Agustinus Junianto.(ABIM)
