Energy Minister Inaugurates 7 One-Price Fuel Retailers in NTT, NTB Provinces

Tuesday, 21 December 2021 - Dibaca 852 kali

MINISTRY OF ENERGY AND MINERAL RESOURCES

REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA

PRESS RELEASE

NUMBER: 470.Pers/04/SJI/2021

Date: 21 December 2021

Energy Minister Inaugurates 7 One-Price Fuel Retailers in NTT, NTB Provinces

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (EMR), Arifin Tasrif, inaugurated simultaneously seven retailers of One-Price Fuels in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) and West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) Provinces. The inauguration took place at the Tenau Fuel Terminal in Kupang, NTT Province on Tuesday (21/12).

With the additional seven retailers, the government has exceeded the target set for 2021 of 76 retailers.

"Affordable fuels, no discrimination between one region and another are the government's goal in providing fuels," said Minister Arifin.

Until 2024, the cumulative target for the development of one-price fuel retailers is 583. Therefore, Arifin asked BPH Migas and PT Pertamina (Persero) to oversee the program implementation so that it meets the set target.

"We've asked BPH Migas and Pertamina to complete the program no later than the first quarter of 2024. The sooner this program is implemented, the sooner communities can benefit from it. That's what we're here for, that's our mission's goal," said Arifin.

Arifin also asked for continuous improvement to supplies availability and logistics infrastructure in remote and hard-to-reach areas to maintain fuel supplies and prevent shortages.

"Our hard work is of no use if the results are not perfect," Arifin stated.

In addition, Arifin asked there should not be long queues to get fuels.

"Stories (about long queues) occur every year. Let's end this sad story, let's make it an event of the past. Let's show that we now offer better services to the community," said Arifin.

Meanwhile, Head of BPH Migas Erika Retnowati stated that based on the Road Map to the Development of One-Price Fuel Retailers, a total of 583 retailers will have to be developed until the end of 2024. Since 2017, BPH Migas has consistently overseen the development of One-Price Fuel retailers to meet this target.

"Between 2017 and 2020, there are 253 retailers of One-Price Fuels. The target for the year 2021 is 76 retailers, while the realization is 78," said Erika.

For the NTT Province, the target between 2017 and 2024 is 75. Currently, there are 34 retailers in operation.

"I hope the operation of One-Price Fuel Retailers can provide maximum benefits for the people of East Nusa Tenggara in particular and everyone across Indonesia in general," Erika stated.

Complementing Erika, Director of Logistics and Infrastructure of PT Pertamina, Mulyono, said that until December 2021, Pertamina had realized the operation of 321 distributing agents of One-Price Fuels in frontier, outermost, and underdeveloped regions, out of the targeted 573 agents assigned by the government until 2024.

"Pertamina will develop 92 retailers in 2022, 89 in 2023, and 73 in 2024," added Mulyono.

According to Mulyono, today's inauguration is not the end but instead the beginning of Pertamina's service to the community because after the inauguration ceremony, all ranks of Pertamina must ensure that fuels are available on time, in the right quantity and quality.

Through the One-Price Fuel Program, Indonesians in approximately 112 regencies can buy Subsidized Solar diesel as well as Pertalite and Premium gasoline at the same price as their fellow citizens in Java, Sumatra, and other parts of Indonesia who already enjoy Premium at Rp6,450 per liter and Solar at Rp5,150 per liter.

The operation of One-Price fuel stations is expected to have a positive impact on the economic activities of 112 regencies spread across Sumatra, Kalimantan, Papua, Sulawesi, Bali, Madura, NTT, and NTB. Thus, economic growth and social welfare will increase.

The One-Price Fuel retailers inaugurated this day are located in the following areas: