Collaboration of RAPP and the Local Government in Riau

Infrastructures are major requirement for improving economic activities of the community. Based on this awareness, Sukanto Tanoto always emphasizes the need for helping the communities with underdeveloped infrastructures. He realizes that without adequate infrastructures, such as road and bridges, the community members cannot do anything to improve their standard of living. Building infrastructures is the most important strategy to help the community get out of the isolation and poverty. Therefore, RAPP (PT. Riau Andalan Pulp and Paper) puts special emphasis on the basic infrastructures.

Collaboration of RAPP and the Local Government

The Local Governments around the areas, where RAPP operates, have established collaboration with the companies that operate there. Previously, social stewardships of these companies focused more on socio-economic infrastructures, community empowerment, and environmental sustainability. The local governments in Riau Province have attempted to broad the collaboration to include road construction.  PT. Riau Andalan Pulp and Paper (RAPP) is one of the first companies that have made an agreement to support the local government.

More importantly, the company collaborates not only with the local government but also with the local people. The company also commits to hire local labors to do the construction jobs. This will give the villagers with an immediate source of extra income. The company also welcomes the surrounding communities to propose what they need and the management team will review and consider them.

Road Construction by RAPP

As a manifestation of the agreement, in 2014 RAPP had finished building a connecting road. In Pulau Padang, Kepulauan Meranti Regency, the company built a connecting road that covers 12 kilometers of length. The road connects two villages, which include six sub-villages in Tarik Putri Puyu Sub-district. They are Dusun Sungai Hiu, Dakal, Sungai Labu, Sungai Mata, and Sukajadi. The road will certainly facilitate the community members and local villagers to transport their crops and commodities. Easier transportation means cheaper costs.  This long-awaited road will also open more chances for the local villagers to improve their prosperity.

In 2015, the company under RGE Group led by SukantoTanoto, continues the same partnership with the Local Government of Kuantan Singingi (Kuansing). This year, RAPP manages a road paving project that includes 5 kilometers of length from Benai to Cerenti. It begun earlier this month and is expected to finish within 120 workdays. The Local Government had made an agreement with 3 companies to pave 9 meters road with a budget of Rp. 30 billions. Of the 9 meters, RAPP alone is responsible for 5 kilometers by allocating 14 millions of fund.