Eleven Seaports In Riau Islands To Operate By 2016

Batam, Riau Islands, Sept 2 (Antara) - Eleven new seaports in Riau Islands Province will become operational by 2016 to support president-elect Joko "Jokowi" Widodo`s program of sea toll, head of Provincial Transportation office Muramis reported here on Tuesday. "Eleven new seaports are being constructed and are expected to be completed by 2016 in support of Jokowi`s program," he stated. The new seaports are located in Subi, Sedanu, and Laut Islands in Natuna District, and in addition, Tanjungmoco and Malarko seaports in Karimun District and Dompak seaport in Tanjung Pinang city. Muramis noted that the administration has been constructing the seaports since 2010. The projects are still underway, as dredging is required to deepen the sea ways. During this period, people will have to disembark their ships and continue their journey by small boats, as water depth at the seaports are shallow and hence cannot be anchored by ships. The seaports are expected to open access for people living on the islands. In addition, the seaports aim to facilitate and accelerate transportation of primary goods, thereby reducing the price of goods. Muramis added that the plan for sea toll proposed by Jokowi is suitable for Riau Islands, as the province consists of hundreds of small islands that extend to the South China Sea.