"I always remember villages," Jokowi says

Bandar Lampung, Lampung (Antaranews Lampung) - President Joko Widodo said he always remembers villages despite frequent visits to foreign countries to meet other heads of state.
         
"Even though almost every month, two months I go around to other countries, meet prime ministers and presidents of other countries, my mind remains with villages, because I am a villager," the President said in his speech during the Village Community Development and Empowerment Policy and Socialization Priority of the Use of Village Funds in 2019 at the Islamic Center, East Lampung on Friday night.
         
According to him, even though he is currently serving in Jakarta or the City of Bogor, he has been associating with people in villages since childhood.
         
For village development, Jokowi  explained that the government provided village funds to encourage economic growth in the village.
         
In 2015, the government has provided village funds in the amount of Rp 20.7 trillion, in 2016 amounting to Rp 40 trillion, in 2017 amounting to Rp 60 trillion and 2018 also amounting to Rp 60 trillion.
         
While in 2019, the government plans to disburse village funds in the amount of Rp73 trillion.
         
The president said the funds were intended to turn money around in large villages.
         
Then the second stage of the government and the village community can shift to economic empowerment by looking at the economic potential of the village.
         
"For example, is there a farm that is not productive? There is no productive land, those who want to do something but there is no capital, do it to be productive, and potential for example tourism is developed in the village to generate income," said the President.
         
In addition, Jokowi also reminded the people in the village to pay attention to the nutrition and education of children.
         
The President directed that village funds be used for children's health services to avoid malnutrition and stunting cases.
         
"We are in the future fighting with other countries. Our human resources must be healthy, smart, to compete with any country that wins," explained the President.
        
The President and First Lady Iriana Joko Widodo were on a working visit in Lampung Province.
        
Their agenda on Friday included review of the construction of  Trans-Sumatra toll road in the Bakauheni-Terbanggi Besar section, and distribution of land certificates at the Salafiyah Darussalam Islamic Boarding School.