REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, PALEMBANG -- President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) inaugurated the 7.75-kilometer section I of Palembang-Indralaya toll road in South Sumatra province on Thursday.

"I am very delighted that this toll road is the first of its kind in South Sumatra," he said at the Palembang-Pemulutan toll gate.

The 21-kilometer Pelembang-Indralaya toll road comprises a 7.75-kilometer section I connecting Palembang to Pemulutan, a 4.9 kilometer section II connecting Pemulutan to Kota Terpadu Mandiri, and a 8.5-kilometer section III connecting Kota Terpadu Mandiri to Simpang Indralaya.

"When I was in the car Mr, Governor told me, 'Mr. President, we have dreamed of this toll road since the Dutch colonial ruler. I don't believe how can we dream of it since the Dutch colonial ruler. But when I came here I was really shocked," he said.

The president said he had four times checked the construction of the section of the toll road.

"Why have I visited here four times? I see that the location for Palembang-Indralaya toll road is very difficult. It comprises swamps so the toll road needs special construction," he said.

The president said his visit this time is also aimed at motivating the contractor of the toll road.

"Two to three months ago I heard that land clearance has not been resolved. But I asked Mrs. Minister of State Enterprises and she told me that it has been resolved. What does it mean? If we frequently come to (the land owners), the land clearance will be faster," he said.

During the visit, the president was accompanied by Public Works and Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono and president director of state construction firm Hutama Karya, I Gusti Ngurah Putra as the contractor of the project.

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