21 Fuel Trucks from South-East Sulawesi and Central Sulawesi ‘Raid’ East Luwu and North Luwu, Fuel Stock is Safe
Palopo, November 14, 2021 - After the Trans-Sulawesi route was cut off due to the broken bridge in Telluwanua, Palopo could not be passed (30/10). PT Pertamina Patra Niaga continued to ensure that the distribution of fuel and LPG could reach North Luwu (Lutra) and East Luwu (Lutim).
A total of 21 fuel trucks were sent through the Luwu-Lutra alternative route with a strict police guard, and backup supplies were carried out from Poso Fuel Terminal, Kolonedale Fuel Terminal, Central Sulawesi, and Kolaka Fuel Terminal, South-East Sulawesi, with daily deliveries reaching 336 kiloliters fuel per day. Meanwhile, LPG is backed up from the Donggala LPG Mini Depot, with daily shipments of 43 metric tons.
Pertamina also cooperates with the regional government, the Indonesian National Armed Forces, and the Indonesian National Police to secure and monitor the distribution of fuel and LPG in the area. Each local government now limits purchases, and at gas stations, the police and armed forces officers are seen monitored so that no one can cheat for their personal advantages and disturb the public.
Area Manager of Communication, Relations, & CSR of PT Pertamina Patra Niaga Sulawesi Region, Laode Syarifuddin Mursali, said that stock stability at gas stations is currently safe in Lutra and Lutim. “Before it was finished, there were already fuel trucks that came to refill. The line was monitored, and it was normal. We have a gas station digitization system to monitor the stock in real-time, where the location of critical gas stations will be directly supplied. But so far from the monitoring data, most of the gas stations in Lutra and Lutim are in the safe category and even exceed. As per day (14/11), after being consumed by the public but continuing to move, gasoline stocks are more than 34,000 liters for all gas stations in East Luwu and 32,100 liters for North Luwu. Gasoil stock reaches a total of more than 23,000 in East Luwu and 18,300 liters in North Luwu,” he said.
Laode added that he expressed his gratitude for the support of all parties, including the people who are now gradually purchasing normally, which are the key to the fuel stocks recovery. “Demand at gas stations is close to normal, and people are no longer panic buying. The line is relatively back to normal from our monitoring results.”
Separately, the community feels the condition is gradually recovering and thanks Pertamina and the local government for not letting the scarcity last long. Marsuki, one of East Luwu residents, said that currently buying fuel does not need to line up like before. “Starting yesterday, the line was normal. It did not cause traffic jams. Maybe yesterday because the bridge was broken. We, as residents of East Luwu, are grateful because the conditions are starting to run smoothly. We hope that until the sloping bridge is repaired, the condition will remain like this,” said Marsuki.