Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, May 4 (Antara) - The city administration of Kendari,Southeast Sulawesi has built a number of facilities to support the operation of the new container port of Bungkutoko.
"We have built a bridge spanning the sea to the island of Bungkutoko, and a two lane road leading to the Bungkutoko port with fund from the city budget," city Mayor Asrun said here on Wednesday.
Land clearing for the port , which was built with fund from the state budget, was financed by the city administration facing strong protest from local residents, the city mayor said.
"Currently we are building a low cost apartment buildings in a location facing the port for rent to the port workers. The port workers, therefore, could live not far from their working place," he said.
All the facilities have been built as the city administration`s contribution to the operation of the more representative port, he added.
"So far we already have the Nusantara port in the old city , but its condition is no longer representative. The city port, therefore, has to be moved to Bungkutoko," he said.
Asrun said he hoped that the new port commissioned by Transport Minister Ignasius Jonan on Monday would soon be fully operational.
"Apart from being a port area , Bungkutoko would also become an industrial and trading center," he said.
What is more important is that the operation of the Bungkotoko port and commercial center would open many new jobs, he added.