East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Governor Emanuel Melkiades Laka Lena led an unannounced inspection of the Kupang Container Terminal on Tuesday morning, underscoring the port’s critical role in maintaining stable food prices across the region.
The early morning visit, conducted by the province’s Regional Inflation Control Team (TPID), was part of a coordinated effort to secure food supply chains and curb inflation under the banner: “Synergy Strengthening Food Security for a Strong and Sustainable NTT Economy.”
Officials arrived at the Pelindo-operated port at 6:30 a.m. local time (WITA), surveying the unloading of cargo, stock levels, and prices of essential goods entering the island province by sea.
“The port is our logistics gateway. If distribution flows smoothly from here to the consumer, we can control inflation,” Governor Laka Lena told reporters. “This requires synergy across all stakeholders to ensure the continuous availability of food staples.”
He was accompanied by senior provincial and national representatives, including Brigadier General Joao Xavier Barreto Nunes, Commander of the Kupang Military Area, Agus Sistyo Widjajati, Head of Bank Indonesia’s NTT branch, and officials from the state logistics agency Bulog.
The inspection aimed to identify bottlenecks that could delay supply and inflate market prices. The team emphasized the importance of uninterrupted transport and efficient handling at ports to keep strategic commodities affordable.
“Direct inspections like these are essential for understanding real-time conditions in the supply chain,” said Widjajati of Bank Indonesia. “The findings will inform TPID’s inflation control policies and help protect household purchasing power.”
Technical Manager Farid Wicaksono, representing Pelindo Kupang’s Terminal Head, welcomed the government’s oversight and pledged operational support. “We are committed to improving efficiency to ensure safe, fast unloading and distribution,” he said. “Collaboration with all parties is key.”
The site visit concluded with a high-level meeting between agencies to outline next steps. Authorities say the inspection will guide future policy recommendations by TPID, aimed at safeguarding food affordability and market stability for the province’s residents.