Pertamina guarantees a secure supply of LPG for South Kalimantan

Banjarmasin, S Kalimantan (ANTARA) - The state-owned oil and gas company PT Pertamina has guaranteed a secure post-flood supply of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for South Kalimantan and appealed community to not panic buying.

PT Pertamina's Executive General Manager for Kalimantan Region Freddy Anwar on Monday assured the secure supply, although the flood had caused severe damage of infrastructures and the company cannot distribute LPG through the normal route.

"We take the river route by using two units of Landing Craft Tank (LCT) as an alternative to transporting LPG tank from LPG Mini Depot to SPBE in South Kalimantan apart from the northern part," he noted in a press statement.

While for the northern part of South Kalimantan, LPG tanks were transported through Jalan Matraman (which previously cut off, but now can be passed) even though it is hampered by a traffic jam.

From January 17 to February 21, a total of 258 LPG tanks were transported using LCT totaling 3,354 metric tons.

Meanwhile, from January to February 21, Pertamina had supplied 4,154,080 canisters to 98 LPG agents and 3,876 bases.

“The LCT rental fees was fully borne by Pertamina. To face these conditions, we always find a way out so people will not find it difficult to get LPG. However, we always urge the public to buy at Pertamina's official base not to retailers," he said.

Pertamina also added its LPG tank unit to accelerate distribution to bulk filling station (SPBE). The additional fleet was brough from Central Kalimantan.

SPBE operational time was also added by continuing to operate on Sunday to ensure that LPG was distributed quickly.

“We thank the local government for overseeing the distribution of LPG since the flood disaster occurred until now. Also the apparatus and TNI to help distribution process to areas that cannot be crossed by land,” he said.