PANGKALPINANG -- PT Timah is committed to supporting the economy of fishing communities through empowerment programs and improving facilities and infrastructure for fishermen to go to sea.
PT Timah's commitment to empowering fishing communities has been going on for a long time, several programs run together with fishing groups including fishing grounds, coral gardens, assistance with fishing gear, and social security for the community.
Not only that, a member of the MIND ID Mining Industry holding, PT Timah also supports improving facilities and infrastructure for fishermen such as supporting the construction of fishing boat moorings and others.
The fishing ground and coral garden programs carried out by PT Timah together with fishing groups are the company's efforts to empower fishing communities while maintaining coastal ecosystems.
Previously, PT Timah also often collaborated with fishing groups to carry out fisheries cultivation and crab restocking as was done in Karimun Regency, Riau Islands Province.
These Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs are designed to increase the economic productivity of fishermen so that they can have an impact on fishing groups. With the help of fishing gear, PT Timah hopes that fishermen can increase their catches, which will have an impact on increasing their income.
Recently, PT Timah handed over assistance to KUB Rezeki Nelayan Rangsang, in Tanjung Bakau Village, Rangsang District, Meranti Islands Regency.
The Head of the KUB Rezeki Nelayan Rangsang Group, Darmawan (56) said that assistance from PT Timah was very much needed by them. Especially to support fishermen in earning a living.
"Thank you for the assistance from PT Timah. Hopefully, with the assistance and attention from the company, it can help improve the economy of fishermen in Rangsang District," said Darmawan.
Furthermore, he said that assistance from PT Timah would be used to purchase equipment to support the needs of the group's 10 members.
According to Darmawan, this assistance is indeed very much needed by its members, in order to support their work so that the catch is maximized and the family economy is also lifted.
In addition, to support and facilitate access for fishermen in Tanjung Kubu Village, South Bangka Regency, PT Timah handed over assistance to renovate the connecting pier of Tanjung Kubu Village and Tanjung Timur Village.
A resident of Tanjung Kubu Village, Rosidi (64) said that the pier between the two villages is no longer safe to pass through because the pier pillars are damaged and fragile due to being eroded by seawater.
"But because of the needs of the residents, they are forced to continue using it even though it can endanger safety," said Rosidi.
He said that this pier is very important for fishermen and farmers, as a way to the place where fishing boats are moored and other activities. Before this pier existed, fishermen and farmers crossed the river and waited for the seawater to recede.
"In the past, fishermen crossed the river by carrying bicycles on their shoulders. If the seawater receded in the evening, we would go home in the evening, if it was in the morning, we would stay overnight while waiting for the seawater to recede to cross home," he said. (*)
