SOE Provides Free Electric Connection Assistance to 1,920 Households in Papua

1,920 underprivileged households spread across the provinces of Papua, West Papua, Central Papua, Southwest Papua and South Papua received free electricity connection assistance in the New Electricity Installation Assistance Program (BPBL) from State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) PT PLN (Persero) , together with the Government and the People's Representative Council of the Republic of Indonesia (DPR RI).

"In 2022 PLN was given a BPBL target by the government of 1,920 households in the Land of Papua and it has been completed," said Expert Staff to the Director of Retail Director of PT PLN (Persero), Ismail Deu, in his statement regarding the ceremonial submission of the BPBL program on Thursday (15/12 /2022).

Ismail said the assistance included installation of electrical installations, three lamps, one power outlet and electricity token vouchers worth IDR 50,000 as the state's commitment to provide access to electricity to all people without exception.

Specifically in Nabire, PLN has provided 24-hour access to electricity for 266 households, exceeding the original target of 247 households.

PLN also handed over 247 basic food packages to recipients of electricity connection assistance so that they could be useful and help the community in meeting their food needs.

"With the target given to 247 households for Nabire Regency, we have succeeded in realizing it, exceeding the target, namely reaching 266 households. Thank you for the cooperation of all parties. Hopefully it can continue in the future," said Ismail.

The Regent of Nabire, Mesak Magai, appreciated the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, the Indonesian Parliament and PLN for the assistance program for the installation of new electricity.

The presence of electricity is considered very necessary for the people of Nabire Regency, some of whom do not yet enjoy 24-hour lighting.

"Today I give the highest appreciation to PLN and also the ministry for the current conditions. In the past, in Nabire Regency, this lighting was like a disco light because it only went on for twelve hours or didn't even turn on. Nabire residents felt the service from the central government through PLN was extraordinary. normal," Mesak said.

Director of Electricity Program Development at the Directorate General of Electricity at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Wanhar emphasized that the government is committed to continuing to increase the electrification ratio, such as by helping people gain access to electricity through BPBL.

He hopes that the cooperation between PLN, the Government and the DPR will continue and be improved in the future so that it can improve the people's economic welfare.

"We all hope that the BPBL program can meet the community's electricity needs and improve living standards for more productive economic activities. In the future, for 2023, the plan is to increase the assistance capacity to 900 VA so that people can be more productive," said Wanhar.

Member of Commission VII DPR RI Marthen Douw, separately said that electricity does not only turn on the lights but for the Papuan people it can improve the quality of life. This is because the presence of electricity can awaken the enthusiasm for education for Papuan children and the community's economy.

For this reason, it is certain that Commission VII DPR RI together with the government and PLN will continue to collaborate on the BPBL program

"DPR Commission VII, together with the government and PLN, hand in hand, will continue to push for government assistance for new electricity so that Papua is bright," he concluded.

SOURCE : https://infopublic.id/categories/nasional-social-budaya/694742/bumn-beri-bantuan-gulungan-listrik-gratis-ke-1-920-rumah-tangga-di-papua