Preparing the empowered and qualified future generation is a big task for the government and other related parties, including private companies. SKK Migas and Production Sharing Contractor (PSC) PetroChina International Jabung Ltd. (PCJL) is proud of our commitment to support the future generation of West Tanjung Jabung in Jambi.

As the operator of Jabung Block, PCJL always works with the government of West Tanjung Jabung in designing empowerment programs in education, health, economy, environment, infrastructure and disaster mitigation.

On the sidelines of West Tanjung Jabung’s 58th anniversary on Thursday (10/08/2023), PCJL and the government of West Tanjung Jabung signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in community empowerment to show PCJL’s supports for local development. The MoU was signed by West Tanjung Jabung Regent Mr. Anwar Sadat and Field Manager Jabung Rudy Hermawan.

This year, one of PCJL’s commitments in education is providing scholarships for 1,146 students in West Tanjung Jabung. A total of 656 elementary school students receive Rp 800,000 each, while 315 junior high school students receive Rp 1,000,000 each and 175 senior high school students receive Rp 1,200,000 each.

“We allocate around Rp 1 billion for this scholarship program. PCJL works with the West Tanjung Jabung Education Agency to distribute and monitor the scholarship funds to the students,” Rudy said.

The education program is designed for students in various educational levels. Apart from the scholarships for elementary – senior high schools students, PCJL also provides university scholarships for West Tanjung Jabung students continuing their education in Akamigas Polytechnic of Energy and Minerals (PEM Akamigas) in Cepu, Blora, Central Java. “The program started in 2019. For four years, we support their tuition fees. Last month, nine university students from West Tanjung Jabung already graduated from the college,” Rudy added.

In health sector, PCJL focuses on stunting reduction program in the area. So far, PCJL already disbursed more than Rp 600 million for various stunting reduction and prevention programs in West Tanjung Jabung. “We are preparing the cooperation agreement for another program with the amount of Rp 200 million,” Rudy said.

In July 2023, Vice President Human Resources and Relations Dencio Renato Boele handed over anthropometry equipment, health monitoring books and infant formula. Since 2022, PCJL has been involved in various stunting reduction programs in both West Tanjung Jabung and East Tanjung Jabung.

Along with the local health agency, PCJL supported the Nutrition Cadre Training to increase their capacity in spreading information about nutrition. The training was attended by government-appointed nutrition cadre and volunteers, who are frontliners in campaigning the importance of healthy diet for the community members. The frontliners usually spread the valuable information on stunting, which mostly caused by malnutrition, through informal gatherings or social events around the neighborhoods.

PCJL also collaborated with the university students from Public Health and Medical Faculty of Jambi University to provide socialization about stunting and free health checkups for pregnant women in Simpang Pandan Community Health Center in East Tanjung Jabung. The stunting reduction program is the Indonesian Government’s priority programs in 2020 – 2040.

Stunting reduction acceleration on toddlers is a government priority program included in the 2020-2024 National Medium Term Development Plant (RPJMN). Stunting reduction targets various direct and indirect causes requiring collaboration and coordination between agencies in various levels of government, private sector and people.

SKK Migas Southern Sumatra Representatives Office formality and communication department head Safe'i was also present in West Tanjung Jabung’s anniversary ceremony and witnessed the signing of MoU between PSC PetroChina Jabung and the West Tanjung Jabung regency. “Hopefully this good collaboration will boost the harmonious relationship between oil and gas industry players and local stakeholders. We also hope that local communities can get direct multiplier effect of upstream oil and gas activities, especially in West Tanjung Jabung,” he said.

Safe’i continued that local communities should be able to reap benefits from upstream oil and gas activities. This can be in the form of regional revenue, revenue sharing or community development programs, as part of commitment by SKK Migas and PSCs to take care of local communities. “PSC PetroChina Jabung has carried out its best efforts in support government programs in various sectors. We hope that this continuous support will be stronger in the future, to ensure smooth upstream oil and gas activities in West Tanjung Jabung,” he said.