tate-Owned Enterprises Minister Rini M.Soemarno said a cement factory built by state cement maker PT Semen Indonesia in Rembang, Central Java, would begin operations in April.
During her visit on Friday, the minister said it was hoped that President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo could inaugurate the factory, which drew a total investment of Rp 4.9 trillion (US$367.50 million), in April. The construction of the factory, which had a production capacity of three million tons of cement per year, had been 99.16 percent completed, she added.
“Formally, the factory has been completed and can fully operate. I will report this visit to Pak Jokowi. Insya Allah [God willing], he will inaugurate it in April,” said Rini.
Semen Indonesia president director Rizkan Chandra, Bank Mandiri president director Kartika Wirjoatmodjo and BNI president director Achmad Baiquni accompanied the minister on the visit.
Rini said all permits needed for the construction of the cement factory were almost complete. For the factory’s inauguration, the government was still waiting for the result of the Strategic Environment Assessment (KLHS), which would be announced directly by President Jokowi.
“We hope the KLHS will be complete in April,” she said.
During the visit, Rini spoke with villagers living in areas near the factory who support its construction. They are from Kajar, Kadiwono, Pasucen, Tegaldowo and Timbrangan villages.
She claimed the majority of local residents living near the factory supported the presence of Semen Indonesia’s cement plant.
Rini admitted five percent of local residents continued to reject the construction of the factory. “We will seek solutions for that,” she said. (ebf)
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