The Banten provincial administration has criticized the slow development of the Serang-Panimbang toll road initiated by the central government. The toll road was initially slated to be completed in 2018. However, the completion date has since been pushed back to 2019.

The administration asked the government to monitor the progress of the project.

“We urge the central government to monitor the project more closely so there will be a guarantee of its success,” Wahyu Wardhana, head of the Banten Investment Agency, told The Jakarta Post on the sidelines of the 2017 Regional Investment Forum at the Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center on Thursday.

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Despite the approaching deadline, Wahyu explained, construction had yet to begin. “The track plan is done but we haven’t seen any construction at all.”

The 83.9 kilometer-long highway is expected to accelerate economic growth in the Tanjung Lesung special economic zone in the province. (bbn)