Bobby Nasution ensures resident complaints are addressed immediately from Nias
The Governor of North Sumatra, Muhammad Bobby Afif Nasution, has demonstrated his commitment to improving public services by establishing an office directly on the Nias Islands.
This presence is part of the North Sumatra provincial government’s efforts to ensure that regional issues can be addressed more quickly, bypassing the obstacles posed by distance and bureaucracy.
During his two stints in Nias, Bobby Nasution not only carried out official government agendas but also personally visited various public facilities and listened to the community’s needs. Several issues identified on-site were resolved and addressed immediately.
“The Governor’s presence on the Nias Islands—spanning two phases—shows that the community does not have to face long waits due to distance. If the community cannot reach the government, the government itself must take action to address the issue. Nias is an integral part of North Sumatra, and development here must proceed at the same pace as in other regions,” stated Erwin Hotmansah Harahap, Head of the North Sumatra Communication and Information Office (Kominfo), on Tuesday, August 11, 2026.
During his visit to the Thomsen Regional Hospital, Bobby personally inspected a number of facilities, ranging from the hemodialysis unit and the pediatric ward to the radiology department. During the visit, Bobby spontaneously offered assistance by covering the travel expenses of two patients who needed to be referred to Medan for further medical care.
The education sector also received significant attention. Upon seeing the condition of SMPN 4 Sitolu Ori in North Nias—where, as of 2024, classes had to be held under a corrugated iron roof and within weathered wooden walls—Bobby immediately took the initiative to help construct a permanent building.
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The school is guaranteed support for the construction of three fully equipped classrooms, an administrative office, and accessible sanitary facilities.
A similar initiative was undertaken at the Lasara Public Elementary School in North Nias. Fifty-three students were being taught in the limited space of three classrooms, with first- and second-grade students sharing a single room separated only by a curtain.
Given this situation, Bobby immediately took action to renovate the school building and add more classrooms to ensure a more comfortable teaching and learning environment.
To ensure that any issues arising on the ground were addressed rather than left unresolved, Bobby also brought the heads of regional departments from the North Sumatra provincial government to Nias.
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This allowed the community’s aspirations to be directly translated into work programs and remedial measures.
Bobby also instructed all regents and mayors across the Nias Islands to submit proposals for provincial financial assistance (BKP) for the 2027 fiscal year as soon as possible.
“This step is crucial to ensure that development can accelerate at the start of the year. The Governor has asked regional leaders to prioritize programs that have a direct impact on the population, particularly in the economic, health, and education sectors,” said Erwin.
The governor’s direct presence in Nias, alongside regional government agencies (OPD), is considered an effective step toward accelerating the resolution of community issues. This effort also underscores that geographical distance should not be a reason to delay fulfilling the community’s right to adequate public services and basic amenities. ***rel
