Riau slams central govt’s decision on West Kampar block

Riau provincial administration has criticized the central government’s decision to award contract over the West Kampar oil and gas block to PT Sumatera Persada, the Koran Tempo newspaper reported in its Tuesday edition.

Riau’s Energy and Mining Agency chief Yafiz said the selection of investor for the West Kampar block has violated the existing procedure because the local administration was not involved in the process.

The exploration activities are also feared to affect the operation of the hydro power plant facility in Kota Panjang, and threaten local plantation areas and the historical Mura Takus temple.

”It’s strange. Suddenly, we were informed that there was this new block called Kampar block and it was given to somebody. In the end, we the people in the region are fighting,” Yafiz said in Pekanbaru on Monday.

He demanded the central government to immediately resolve the West Kampar problem because it will eventually become a burden for the tender winner. The local people and the regency are expected to reject the operator of this oil and gas block.(*)