Aceh will receive Rp 43.7 billion from Pertamina this year

Aceh province will receive at least Rp 43.7 billion (US$1=Rp 8,500) from state owned oil and gas company Pertamina for the empowerment of the local economy and to help the poor people in the troubled province, according to the province's legislative council

Jamaluddin Ahmad, the chairman of the commission C of the legislative council, said in Banda Aceh on Tuesday that the funds which would be formally handed over to the local government next month, was part of the funds that should be returned by Pertamina to the Aceh people.

"The money is not a donation from Pertamina but the restitution from state revenues generated by the oil and gas company from the province's natural resources," he was quoted saying by Tempo Interaktif . He added that the handover of the funds was based on the memorandum of understanding signed by the province's legislative council and Pertamina in March, early this year.

Jamaluddin said that Banda Aceh would receive Rp 3.6 billion of the funds, Aceh Besar Rp 3.1 billion, Sabang Rp 787 million, Pidie Rp 2.02 billion, Bireuen Rp 3.1 billion, West Aceh, Rp 2.5 billion, Simeulue Rp 735 million, South Aceh Rp 1.2 billion, Aceh Singkil Rp 958 million, Central Aceh Rp 1.6 billion, Southeast Aceh Rp 1.1 billion, North Aceh Rp 12 billion and East Aceh Rp 10.6 billion. (*)