Manado-Bitung Toll Road Ground-Breaking To Start Soon

Manado, North Sulawesi, Jan 7 (Antara) - The ground-breaking of Manado-Bitung toll road in North Sulawesi is expected to start in January 2014, according to Governor Sinyo H Sarundajang. "We hope that the land acquisition process will soon be completed in order to expedite the commencement of Manado-Bitung toll road development," the North Sulawesi governor stated during a meeting to discuss the project with North Minahasa district administration and Bitung municipal administration officials on Monday. Sarundajang noted that land acquisition at some sections in North Minahasa district still had some obstacles owing to land ownership status problems. However, the governor assured that the problem will be solved soon through coordination with relevant parties. "To ensure that work goes on well, I will personally monitor the process of land acquisition compensation payments to the land owners," Governor Sarudajang stated. The presidential candidate from the Democrat Party asserted that the land acquisition process must be completed immediately in order not to affect the opening of the Manado-Bitung toll road mega project. "Land acquisition process should have been completed by the end of 2013. Therefore, all relevant parties are requested to help speed up the process to ensure welfare of local community," the governor added. According to him, the construction of such a mega project cannot be postponed because it is closely related to the interests of the people and development in that area. Present at the meeting to discuss the Manado-Bitung toll road project were Deputy Governor Djouhari Kansil, provincial administration secretary Siswa R Mokodongan, North Minahasa District Head Sompie Singal, Bitung Deputy Mayor Max Lomban and other officials. Meanwhile, the North Minahasa district head called on his people to be proactive in supporting the construction of the toll road that will connect the district. "We strongly expect the participation of the community in the construction of the toll road to improve the pace of economic development in North Sulawesi, particularly in North Minahasa district," Sompie Singal stated. He noted that the North Minahasa District Administration will not stay silent in the matter of land acquisition process for the construction of the toll road.