WEST BANGKA – To facilitate access and connectivity of residents to reach plantations and rice fields, PT Timah Tbk has built and repaired Jalan Usaha Tani (JUT) in Limbung Village, Parit Tiga District, West Bangka Regency.
The road, which will be built along 2 kilometres, was previously the access route passed by dozens of families to get to plantations and rice fields. In addition, this road connects Kacung Village and Limbung Village. This road is very slippery during the rainy season. No doubt this makes residents often fall when crossing this road.
For years, residents have crossed this road to bring their garden produce, fortunately recently, heavy equipment has entered the area, thus making the road wider. However, it is still slippery during the rainy season.
Chairman of the Gapoktan of Limbung Jaya Village, Syamsul Bahri said that his party proposed the construction of this road because the road conditions were already difficult for residents to pass, especially in the middle of the rainy season like today.
“Initially this road was muddy and very slippery, this has been formed because there are PCs that enter through here to build rice fields. But it's still slippery when it rains. There are many people who fall when they come home or leave the garden. Because here many people's gardens have pepper, oil palm, rubber, there are also rice fields, "said Syamsul.
In addition to building roads, PT Timah Tbk has also built two culvert points in this area as well as a 40 meter long canal.
According to him, they are very proud of the construction of roads that are more suitable for residents' access to their economic resources. The proposal for the construction of this road has been submitted several times in Musrembang, but has not yet received a response.
“You could say PT Timah Tbk made this road, because this road was previously only for motorbikes, there were PCs passing by so it was more formed. But what is really built to pay attention to the quality is only this time. We are very proud that PT Timah Tbk has helped and made it easier for the farmers here to go to their plantations," he said.
According to him, so far this road has only been cleaned together by residents with makeshift equipment. So this road really needs to be made in accordance with its designation to support the agricultural sector.
Furthermore, he conveyed that this road is not only for residents' plantations, but the people of Kacung Village also often use this road to go to Parititiga Market, so it is closer.
“Not only the residents of Limbung Village who take advantage of this access, the residents of Kacung Village also often pass here if they want to go to Parittiga, because it is closer. Not only for farmers' access, but also for roads to connect two villages," he said.
According to him, the Limbung Jaya Gapoktan has about 12 farmer groups with more than 200 members. Where indeed in Limbung Village the majority of the population has a livelihood as farmers.
“We are very proud of PT Timah Tbk, and I convey to the residents who built this road PT Timah Tbk. Because this is indeed a citizen's access to gardening. Indirectly, by building this road access, PT Timah Tbk has supported the agricultural sector in this village," he said.
He hopes that in the future this synergy and collaboration will continue so that the presence of PT Timah Tbk continues to provide benefits to the community.
"Hopefully, farmers from other villages will also be able to feel the assistance we feel from PT Timah Tbk," he said.
Road Construction Using a Labor Intensive Scheme
The chairman of the Limbung Jaya Gapoktan, Syamsul Bahri, said that the construction of the 2-kilometer road uses the labor of the local community with a labor-intensive system.
He said there were more than 20 people involved in road construction, but the heavy equipment was imported from outside because none of the villagers had the equipment.
"There are more than 20 people who come to work, all of us residents. The people we invite are the ones who are off work. Like rubber farmers, because of the rainy season they can't work so they work here to increase their income. There are also those who are unemployed, we invite too. Because indeed the request from PT Timah was carried out in a labor-intensive manner,” said Syamsul.
According to him, this labor-intensive system also helps the community's economy, especially during the current Covid-19 pandemic. This work is expected to be completed in a maximum of two months.
"Yes, it is very helpful, they will work for a day's wages. There are also many people who are enthusiastic about working,” he said.
One resident Ishak (60) said that he was very happy to be able to work so that the kitchen could stay bubbling. When the weather is uncertain with the current economic conditions, having jobs like this can help residents.
"Yes, it's nice to have such a job, but it won't take long. Try if you often have jobs like this," he said.
Similarly, Ari, 33, a resident of Limbung Village, appreciates PT Timah Tbk for helping to build a road to this resident's plantation, especially the residents themselves who were involved in building the road.
“I also have a garden near here, so I'm glad this road is being improved. If it rains here, it's very slippery. It's a shame that parents often fall in the garden. Yes, we are grateful that the road was built and we are also invited to work,” he concluded.
Village Government Appreciates PT Timah Tbk
The Limbung Village Government appreciates PT Timah Tbk's steps to build a more feasible road to access plantations and community rice fields in Limbung Village.
Through the construction of this road, it is hoped that later it will make it easier for residents to cross the road to gardens and rice fields which are expected to drive the community's economy. Moreover, there are many community gardens such as pepper, rubber and oil palm in the area.
"This road has been around for a long time, it's just that it has never been built, so it's a road for only one motorbike at first, because this is the road to the garden and to the rice fields. There are about 70 more hectares of rice fields. There are also residents' private gardens," said Limbung Village Secretary Mu'an when met on Monday (28/9/2021).
He said that the proposed road construction was carried out by the Tanin Group Association (Gapoktan) in Limbung Jaya Village. This makes it easier for people to go to their rice fields and plantations. His party, enthusiastically welcomed the construction of this road from PT Timah Tbk.
According to him, if using village funds, the construction of this road cannot be realized, due to budget constraints. Especially during the Covid-19 pandemic, village funds are not focused on physical development.
“What is clear is that roads are urgently needed because access to rice fields and community gardens is needed. Only if you use village funds you can't. Residents also transport their garden products through there as well. We thank and support PT Timah Tbk to make a more suitable road to the people's gardens and rice fields," he said.
He considered that the labor-intensive program implemented in the construction of this road had provided jobs for residents. So, this is very helpful for residents especially during the current Covid-19 pandemic.
“This cash-intensive program is also in line with the village government, where residents are invited to work to increase their economic value. So this has had a good impact," he said. (**)
