Converter Packages Distributed to 667 Fishermen in Riau Province

MINISTRY OF ENERGY AND MINERAL RESOURCES

REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA

PRESS RELEASE

NUMBER: 350.Pers/04/SJI/2020

Date: 12 November 2020

Converter Packages Distributed to 667 Fishermen in Riau Province

Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (EMR) through its Directorate General of Oil and Gas has again distributed converter kit packages to 667 fishermen in Kampar Regency, Riau Province. The fuel oils to gas fuel conversion program is expected to improve fishermen's welfare and income through the use of energy-efficient fuels.

"Alhamdulillah, thank God I got this aid. We are very much helped. I will use the money saved for my children's school fees," said one of the fishermen, Supriyadi (41), who has been a fisherman for 22 years, on Wednesday (11/11).

In line with Supriyadi, Jon Hendri (41) also hopes that the converter kit package will benefit his family's economy. Previously, Jon had to spend around Rp30,000 to buy 3 liters of oil fuel, or Rp120,000 for 4 days at sea. Meanwhile, if he uses LPG, he only needs a 3-kg LPG cylinder for Rp25,000. "I can save a lot. The savings can then be used to meet my family needs, to pay my children's school fees," said Jon.

Jon told of his long wait to get the aid. "I am very happy because I finally I got the government aid. I've been hoping for the past 2 years that I will get it, too. Thank God I got it this year," he said cheerfully.

His hope of getting the aid flared up when village officials came to his house. After being surveyed, he was asked to submit the required documents. "The requirements are simple. I completed everything," added Jon.

Section Head of Oil and Gas Infrastructure Development Supervision of Ministry of EMR, Sugiarto, said the Government would distribute 25,000 converter kit packages for fishermen in 2020. Next year, the number will increase to 28,000 packages. For this reason, he invited local governments to submit proposals for the packages.

Sugiarto also asked the fishermen who received the converter packages to make good use of the aid. "We'd like to ask the recipients to please take good care of these packages because this government aid will give you enormous benefits by saving your fishing costs," he added.

Back in 2018, as many as 406 fishermen in Kampar received similar aid. The conversion of oil fuels to gas fuel for fishing vessels for target fishermen is one of the programs that support energy diversification. LPG has been chosen as an alternative energy because it is more environmentally friendly and easy to obtain. Additionally, LPG saves fuel expenses for fishing.

Fishermen eligible to receive the conversion kit packages are those who own a fishing boat with boat volume less than 5 GT; the boat is fueled by gasoline and has an engine power of 13 HP; the fishermen use environmentally friendly fishing gear, have never received similar aid, and have KuSUKA fisherman ID card. (IY)

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