Council supports Santa Fe's road project

The provincial council of Jambi laid its weight behind Santa Fe's plan of building a 11.7 kilometer road in Tanjung Jabung Barat (Tanjabbar) and Timur (Tanjabtim) areas to support the company's oil and gas operation in the area.

Local Sumatera Ekspres daily quoted councilor Rusli B as saying that the road project would bring benefits to the local government and the local people.

"During the visit to Santa Fe in Tanjabbar and Tanjabtim, we found that Santa Fe is by no means harmful to the government. In fact, it is helpful to the local government," he said, adding the company deserves the approval of the government for the road project,

He made the statement in response to the local administration's worries that the development of the road would cause problems.

Rusli said the councilors who visited the company's operation found that the allegation that the company used the people's land to build its road was not true.

He also noted that the company had spent Rp 6 billion (US$1= Rp 8,900) to help the local government in its developmental programs and had promised to comply with all the existing regulations. (*)