Jakarta (ANTARA) - State-owned oil company Pertamina has agreed to relocate its fuel terminal in Plumpang, North Jakarta, to land owned by state-owned port operator PT Pelindo following last week’s fire, State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) Minister Erick Thohir has informed. "The result from our meeting was the relocation of Plumpang fuel terminal to land owned by Pelindo," he confirmed in Jakarta on Monday.
According to him, his ministry is coordinating with Pelindo regarding the construction of the terminal, which will be prepared to be built by the end of 2024 "The construction may take two to 2.5 years. We still have 3.5 years to move the fuel terminal," he informed.
Thohir informed that the relocation is a follow-up to an agreement between him; Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy; Jakarta's acting Governor Heru Budi Hartono; SOEs Deputy Minister Pahala Mansury; and President Director of Pertamina Nicke Widyawati.
"Of course, it started from President Joko Widodo's direction to serve and protect the people. Therefore, Pertamina will ensure protection for the surrounding people, especially the victims who have been affected. We will take care of them and we will ensure temporary housing for them. We will also support their livelihood for the next few months," Thohir said.
His ministry has agreed that public safety is an important matter. Therefore, he urged Pertamina to establish a safe zone or buffer zone around Pertamina's national vital objects, not only in Plumpang, but also at other locations, such as Balongan and Semarang, to prevent unwanted occurrences in the future.
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"Especially for Plumpang fuel terminal, the buffer zone is approximately 50 meters from the fence. This solution requires joint support from the local government and the community since we always prioritize safety for all people," Thohir said.
The fire at Plumpang fuel terminal on March 3, 2023, resulted in many fatalities and injuries. The victims included residents from two neighborhood units (RW) who had to flee their burning homes and seek shelter at temporary refugee posts.