BANGKA – Ariansyah (52) a resident of Tanjung Gudang, Mantung Village, Belinyu District, feels new hope in the new year 2023. The reason is, this man who works as a fisherman at the end of 2022, received the help of an outboard engine from PT Timah Tbk.
Apart from Ariansyah, there are five other fishermen in the Belinyu District who received assistance with a 9.8 PK outboard engine from PT Timah Tbk.
Ariansyah said he had been a fisherman for decades, but he had problems going to sea. The reason is, the machine they have is often damaged. Even he sometimes can not go to sea because the engine is broken.
“I have been going to sea for decades, and during that time my outboard engine often experienced problems with damage. But I understand that, because the machine is already obsolete," he said.
Even though it has been repaired, because the engine is old, it still breaks frequently.
"Sometimes, if you want to go to sea, you cancel it because the engine doesn't start. I feel tired of fixing it," he said.
He is grateful to welcome 2023, he received outboard engine assistance from PT Timah Tbk so he can go to sea in peace.
"I am very happy to have been assisted by PT Timah. Thank God, with the assistance of this engine, it is very helpful. With this new engine, I will be able to go further out to sea, and of course I won't worry anymore that damage will occur," he said.
Likewise Feriyandi (35), a resident of Jalan Pahlawan 12, Air Jukung Village, Belinyu District, also feels helped by the help of an outboard engine from PT tin Tbk.
"Alhamdullilah, we are very happy, with the help of this new machine, of course it really supports our daily activities while at sea," he said.
He said the assistance of the 9.8 PK machine could make it easier for them to make a living. Because before, he only had a 3.5 PK engine.
"I only have a 3.5 PK engine and its capacity is limited. This makes us a bit slow moving. Not to mention the cargo that can be carried can't be much and it also takes a long time to get to the destination. Lost when it happens, "said Ferry.
With the new engine provided by PT Timah Tbk, he said, it can cut the travel time to the fishing location.
"From the Bunting river to our location at sea, it took almost 1 hour using the old engine, but using the 9.8 PK engine it only took 25 minutes. Very much difference. In addition, the machine provided by PT Timah has great power and is also economical," he said.
Meanwhile, the Human Resources Director of Timah Tbk, Yennita said that PT Timah Tbk continues to be committed to helping the community around the mine. One of them is by supporting economic independence.
"PT Timah always encourages economic independence, the outboard engines we provide to fishermen are our form of ensuring that PT Timah Tbk's existence can coexist with other sectors," said Yennita.
PT Timah Tbk, he said, continues to implement good mining practices so as to minimize environmental impacts.
"We have conducted research, where mining activities if carried out properly can coexist with other sectors. As we have done in the form of grouper cultivation which is located around the area where Suction Ships operate," he said.
