President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) received Banten Governor Wahidin Halim and Vice Governor Andhika Hazrumy at the Presidential Palace here on Thursday to discuss development in the province.

"President Jokowi has given a positive response to the development in Banten, and thus, we will think of the next step later," Governor Halim remarked after the meeting with the president.

The governor said the meeting with President Jokowi was held to discuss development in Banten, which is still far behind other regions.

"We want to repair the national roads that have been in bad condition," he noted.

Halim also pointed out that the operations of the Semen Merah Putih factory had caused damage to several kilometers of road for which the community had demanded repairs.

"We hope Semen Merah Putih will take responsibility for the damage caused to the road around the factory in Lebak District," he remarked.

He expressed hope that the central government would offer assistance for development along the south and north coasts, from the Soekarno-Hatta Airport to Cilegon, while in the south, from Sukabumi to the west.

The governor noted that in addition to roads, he had prioritized education, bridge construction, port, and tourism development.

"Banten is left behind as compared to Central and East Java where the roads are good," he added.

Source: ANTARA