Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan (ANTARA) - PLN South-Central Kalimantan Main Distribution Unit (UID Kalselteng) has succeeded lighting up 12,199 houses of underprivileged families through government's new electricity installation assistance (BPBL) program.
General Manager of PLN South-Central Kalimantan Main Distribution Unit Ahmad Syauki here on Wednesday said that BPBL really helps underprivileged communities to become independent of electricity and this is a clear evidence of the presence of state to improve people's welfare by distributing electricity evenly.
BPBL, he said, is an assistance from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resource (ESDM). PT PLN as a state company was appointed to carry otu this free electricity connection to underprivileged families in accordance with the Ministry of Social Affairs' Integrated Data (DTKS) in areas where electricity network is available.
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“As the implementer of BPBL program, we are very grateful to the ESDM Ministry for particating in accelerating the achievement of 100 percent electrification ratio throughout Indonesia, especially in South and Central Kalimantan. BPBL helps people who want to enjoy electricity independently at home,” said Syauki.
Electricity, he said, has become a basic need that can improve people's quality of life. The majority of daily activities require electrical energy, wherever you are.
“With electricity, families not only enjoy lighting, but also better quality and access to education, as well as opening new economic oppotunities through small business at their homes,” said Syauki.
Until August 2024, PLN UID Kalselteng had electrified 12,199 houses through BPBL since the program was launched in 2022. It's target by the end of October is to electrify a total of 16,985 houses according to the direction of ESDM Ministry.
"We keep on working hard to ensure that every household, especially the underprivileged, can enjoy safe and reliable electricity. This is not only our duty as an electricity provider, but also a form of our concern to the improvement of people's welfare,” he pointed out.
One of the beneficiaries, Surya (48), residen of Samba Bakumpai Village, Central Kalimantan, was very grateful for the assistance.
“Alhamdulillah, I thank the Almighty. Thank you the government, PLN and all parties who have helped. Hopefully other brothers and friends also get help like this,” said Surya.
BPBL program also received appreciation from various parties, including stakeholders at village level. Such as Head of Samba Bakumpai Village, Kilat, who expressed his gratitude for free electricity installation that his residents had been waiting for a long time.
“I would like to thank the government and PLN for helping our residents by providing free electricity installation they have long dreamed of. We hope that in the future there will be more similar assistance,” said Kilat.
With the BPBL program, it is hoped that the target of 100 percent national electrification can be achieved soon. In addition, equal distribution of electrcity can be felt by all level of society as a driver of prosperity and economic improvement throughout Indonesia.
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