North Sumatra Accelerates Development in Four Nias Islands Regions
The North Sumatra provincial government is committed to accelerating development in four districts on the Nias Islands, which are still classified as underdeveloped, frontier, and remote (3T) regions.
This acceleration is being achieved through the Fast Best Results Program (PHTC) and regional strategic projects (PSD).
LATEST NEWS: 46,160 participants begin internship program (Batch II, Batch 1)
This commitment was announced by Basarin Yunus Tanjung, Assistant for Government and Public Welfare at the North Sumatra Provincial Secretariat, during an interactive dialogue commemorating the 81st anniversary of Indonesia’s Independence Proclamation in North Sumatra province. The dialogue was broadcast on RRI Medan on Tuesday, August 11, 2026.
The dialogue, themed “Developing North Sumatra from the 3T regions to realize a sovereign, just, and prosperous Indonesia,” was also attended by the Chairman of DHD BPK 45 North Sumatra, Major General (Ret.) M. Hasyim.
Basarin stated that the accelerated development in these four regions is driven by the presence of North Sumatra Governor Muhammad Bobby Afif Nasution and Deputy Governor Surya, whose offices are located on the Nias Islands.
This move represents a breakthrough designed to bring public services closer to the community and local government while simultaneously allowing for direct engagement with their needs and aspirations.
“This means we must take the initiative so that local events, phenomena, facts, and data can be translated into policies that the community genuinely needs. At the national and regional levels, there are four districts in North Sumatra still considered underdeveloped. Therefore, it is important to accelerate development in areas classified as 3T (Least Developed Regions),” he explained.
Basarin outlined several priority programs of the North Sumatra provincial government, as detailed in the PHTC and PSD (National Development Planning Agency) plans for the Nias Islands. Under the PHTC, these include the free medical care program (Probis) and the provision of internet access in public spaces and schools through the public service digitalization program (CERDAS).
The North Sumatra provincial government is also implementing the integrated strategic infrastructure program (INSTANSI), which covers road and bridge construction and the improvement of connectivity in remote areas.
Road construction projects include the South Nias–West Nias route, the Dola and Duria corridors, and the Opiatumbeherua section in the South and West Nias regions.
LATEST NEWS: Consumer purchasing power is under pressure: 7 signs you can’t ignore
“A study regarding the construction of an integrated port is currently underway for next year. Physical construction work is expected to begin the following year. The governor plans to build a port and logistics warehouses. This aims to increase shipping traffic and ensure that logistics goods can be transported at an affordable price,” said Basarin.
As part of the regional strategic program (PSD), the North Sumatra provincial government is also implementing infrastructure projects, such as the construction of embankments, sheet pile walls, and retaining walls along various roads, Basarin continued.
In addition, the government is improving the operations of various community health centers (Puskesmas) to expand access to public healthcare.
Two health centers in Mandrehe (West Nias) and Lahewa (North Nias) will be upgraded to clinics with inpatient facilities.
LATEST NEWS: Three Development Priorities for the Nias Islands
“Since there is currently only one operational hospital in Gunung Sitoli, this will bring basic healthcare closer to the community. These two health centers are currently under construction and will be staffed by specialists,” said Basarin.
Meanwhile, the head of the North Sumatra DHD BPK 45, Major General TNI (Ret.) M. Hasyim, assessed the North Sumatra governor and vice-governor’s program to establish offices on the Nias Islands as an effort to achieve unity through social justice for the community.
To foster the ‘Spirit of ’45’ among the younger generation, his office collaborates with high school students on the Nias Islands through various development activities.
He reminded them that Indonesia’s independence was achieved through the struggles of young people in the past who were willing to sacrifice their possessions, lives, bodies, and blood. Therefore, he hopes that this fighting spirit will live on in the current generation. “Our goal for 2026 is to raise national awareness among secondary school students and young people on the Nias Islands. We consider the governor’s program excellent and wholeheartedly support it,” he concluded. ***rel
