ID :
59496
Thu, 05/07/2009 - 20:46
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/59496
The shortlink copeid
AUSTRALIA SUPPORTS IMPROVED ROADS IN EASTERN INDONESIA
Jakarta, May 7 (ANTARA) - Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance Bob McMullan on Thursday attended a ceremony marking the commencement of work to build the Tohpati-Kusamba bypass in Bali.
Also present on the occasion were Indonesia's Minister of Public Works, Djoko Kirmanto, and Bali Governor Made Mangku Pastika.
This officially marks the beginning of construction works for the Eastern Indonesia National Road Improvement Project. The program includes 24 major road and bridge improvement projects spread over nine provinces of Eastern Indonesia, according to the Australian embassy here on Thursday.
McMullan said a strong national road network was essential to regional, social and economic
development. "Upgrading the national road network will lead to reduced travel times and costs and improve
access to markets and services," McMullan said.
He said that importantly, the improved Tohpati-Kusamba road is also expected to greatly reduce traffic
accidents on this highway and the horrifying number of deaths and disabilities that they cause.
"In 2008 police traffic accident statistics show that there was more than one death per kilometre
of the Tohpati-Kusamba road. I am very pleased that Australia is able to contribute to dramatically reducing this appalling statistic." he said.
The road projects are also expected to generate as many as 10,000 jobs during construction. The Eastern Indonesia National Road Improvement Project is funded by Australia?s $300 million highly concessional loan to Indonesia to upgrade its national road network. It is also supported by a $28 million grant assistance package to provide high quality engineering designs leading to improved civil works.
The loan is provided under the $1 billion Australia Indonesia Partnership for Reconstruction and Development, as part of Australia's ongoing response to the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami.
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Also present on the occasion were Indonesia's Minister of Public Works, Djoko Kirmanto, and Bali Governor Made Mangku Pastika.
This officially marks the beginning of construction works for the Eastern Indonesia National Road Improvement Project. The program includes 24 major road and bridge improvement projects spread over nine provinces of Eastern Indonesia, according to the Australian embassy here on Thursday.
McMullan said a strong national road network was essential to regional, social and economic
development. "Upgrading the national road network will lead to reduced travel times and costs and improve
access to markets and services," McMullan said.
He said that importantly, the improved Tohpati-Kusamba road is also expected to greatly reduce traffic
accidents on this highway and the horrifying number of deaths and disabilities that they cause.
"In 2008 police traffic accident statistics show that there was more than one death per kilometre
of the Tohpati-Kusamba road. I am very pleased that Australia is able to contribute to dramatically reducing this appalling statistic." he said.
The road projects are also expected to generate as many as 10,000 jobs during construction. The Eastern Indonesia National Road Improvement Project is funded by Australia?s $300 million highly concessional loan to Indonesia to upgrade its national road network. It is also supported by a $28 million grant assistance package to provide high quality engineering designs leading to improved civil works.
The loan is provided under the $1 billion Australia Indonesia Partnership for Reconstruction and Development, as part of Australia's ongoing response to the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami.
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