Barabai, S Kalimantan (ANTARA) - The District Government of Central Hulu Sungai (HST) seriously responded the discourse of building an airport, as Regent HA Chairansyah instructed his ranks to conduct feasibility study.
"I order regional secretary together with the relevant regional apparatus organization (OPD) to conduct feasibility study on the development of airport," Chairansyah said here on Friday (Dec 27, 2019).
The idea of airport was initiated by the House of Representative (DPR RI)'s Commission V member HM Rifqinizami Karsayuda when he met the regent and his ranks on the same day in his recess in the district.
The idea based on the demographic bonus of tens of millions in the future as a result of the transfer of new capital to North Penajam Paser, which borders the Hulu Sungai area. He said, it is a golden opportunity that must be taken, not to be seized and enjoyed by other regions.
"We must think a few steps forward and dare to dream. The strategic position of HST in the middle of Banua Enam (Hulu Sungai) must be utilized. People in (the neighbor district of) Rantau, Kandangan, and Amuntai would prefer to go to HST if there is an airport," he pointed out.
"HST need the connectivity, in addition to roads it requires airport, as a buffer zone for the new capital," Rifqi explained and suggested the district to conduct feasibility study.
He even expressed his commitment to strive to get the budget for the construction of the airport to the central government.
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Meanwhile, the HST Regional Secretary H Akhmad Tamzil stated ready to conduct feasibility study on the development of the airport.
"As a follow-up we will hold a coordination meeting with Bappelitbangda (Planning, Research and Development Board), Environment and Transportation Agency, and related agencies. A special team will be formed to study seriously the development of the airport in HST," he said.
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Head of Bappelitbangda Ahmad Syahriani Effendi said ready to back-up the making of macro planning of the airport development in HST.
Similar thing conveyed by Head of Environment and Transportation Agency M Yani that his agency ready for conducting feasilibity study of the airport.
"Of course we will coordinate intensively with the Bappelitbangda, as we have not yet budgeted the feasilibity study, at least it can be accomodated in the 2020 revised budget," he said.
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