Riau To Accelerate Infrastructure Development On Border Islands

Pekanbaru, Riau, April 8 (Antara) - The Border Management Board of the province of Riau said it has prepared a program to accelerate economic infrastructure development on its outer islands sharing borders with neighboring countries. The projects expected to improve the welfare of the local people would be completed in 2019, the Riau regional BBP chief Zulkarnaen said here on Tuesday. "The priority is development in a number of frontier regencies like the regencies of Bengkalis, Rokan Hilir and Meranti islands," Zulkarnain, told Antara news agency. Among the locations of priority include the island of Rupat and the sub-district of Bantan in the regency of Bengkalis, the islands of Rangsang and Merbau in the regency of Kepulauan Meranti and the sub-districts of Pasir Limau Kapas and Sinaboi and the Aruah islands, which groups 10 small islands in the regency of Rokan Hilir, he said. He said each of the frontier islands has different potentials and problems. In Rupat island , immediate development of infrastructure is urgent to prevent the local people of thinking to abandon their place and move to neighboring country, he cited. Rupat is a potential area for tourist destination and the land is known to hold reserves of valuable minerals, he added. The problem of the island of Rangsang in the regency of Meranti is that it is shrinking because of abrasion of its coast after its mangrove forest has been damaged. He said the program will include construction of school buildings and other educational facilities such as library and laboratory and dormitory to improve the skill of human resources in those areas. In addition, houses would be needed for school teachers and health centers as well as hospitals and other health care facilities, as well as houses of doctors and paramedics, he said. The program in economic sector includes development of market centers, warehouses, trade and industrial centers, training center for workers , fishermen , etc. In the social infrastructure program the plan includes construction of clean water infrastructure and facilities, power generating plants, and low cost houses. "The entire program could be carried out if good synergy could be created among the stake holders," Zulkarnain said.