Thousand Islands gets more power, ATMs

JAKARTA: Governor Fauzi Bowo presided over the official activation of a underwater power line to North Thousand Islands on Wednesday.

Residents will now have power 24 hours a day, as opposed to the 15 hours a day from generators used before the line was activated.

Thousand Islands power technical unit chief Haris Prindatno said that trial service started last week for six of the largest inhabited islands in the district: Pramuka, Pangang, Kelapa Dua, Harapan, Kelapa and Karya.

Fauzi also presided over the launch of two ATMs for city-owned Bank DKI on Panggang and Kelapa. Bank DKI previously operated a lone ATM on Pramuka. “We want to boost tourism and economic growth in Thousand Islands regency,” Bank DKI president Eko Budiwiyono said.

During his visit to the resort islands, Fauzi disbursed Rp 2.07 billion (US$228,000) in aid to the victims of a storm that hit several islets in North Thousand Islands last month and destroyed hundreds of houses and buildings. “I apologize that I could only come to visit today. We are still providing healthcare for the dislocated residents and repairing damaged school buildings,” he said.