Speech

Banda Aceh to Meulaboh Road Ground Breaking Ceremony

William M. Frej, USAID Mission Director

Banda Aceh | Thursday, August 25, 2005

Ceremonial opening: Salamat Siang. It’s a pleasure to be gathered here with all of you to mark yet another milestone in Aceh reconstruction.

Thank you all for coming. Today, the U.S. and Indonesia launch the largest infrastructure project for Aceh reconstruction – the 240 kilometer Banda Aceh to Meulaboh road. The reconstruction of this main artery will restore and improve land transportation, communication, mobility, and most significantly, the livelihoods and potential for economic growth and job creation for the people of Aceh.

Our work starts today. USAID is pleased to announce the award of a contract for the first phase of reconstruction to PT Wijaya Karya, a reputable Indonesian construction firm. Wijaya Karya and its subcontractors, including Acehnese firms, will design, construct and maintain the initial priority segments of the Banda Aceh to Meulaboh road.

In this first phase, we will work closely with Governor Abu Bakar, Mr. Kuntoro, Minister Kirmanto, and community leaders to efficiently design and construct a number of new road sections (approximately 20 kilometers), to rehabilitate and maintain the existing road from Banda Aceh to Lamno (approximately 80 kilometers), and to remove bridge debris. Construction of the new 20 kilometer sections will help re-establish the important link between Banda Aceh and Lamno while the design work for the entire Banda Aceh to Meulaboh road is being completed.

PT Wijaya Karya will rehabilitate the 80 kilometer section of the road and maintain the road while the construction of the new sections is being completed. With this activity, USAID will continue to preserve the mobility and livelihoods of local communities. By restoring and improving land transportation, the road will also enable access for other important redevelopment and reconstruction projects.

USAID is committed to engaging communities in the reconstruction process and, through our contractor, will employ Achenese to work on road maintenance and rehabilitation, injecting much needed cash into local communities.

USAID’s objective is to ensure that this project makes a significant contribution to improving livelihoods, employment and the local economy. Our goal is to build Aceh back better and create a foundation for economic growth that leads to jobs and better standards of living.

USAID is proud to be sponsoring the construction of this important road, as the Banda Aceh to Meulaboh road is the economic backbone of the region and essentially connects Aceh Province with the rest of North Sumatra and Indonesia. Assistance from the U.S. Government will help rebuild this essential infrastructure and the lives of thousands of people along the west coast of Aceh who lost their homes, livelihoods and families.

We look forward to working in partnership with all of you for a stable and prosperous Indonesia.

Thank you.

Learn more: Tsunami Reconstruction | About this activity

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