US Embassy Press Release

8 May 2005
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in Aceh on May 8, 2005 between the U.S. Government and the Government of Indonesia for the reconstruction of the Banda Aceh to Meulaboh road.

This project is valued at U.S. $245 million and will support the reconstruction efforts of the Government of Indonesia along the west coast of Aceh. The Banda Aceh to Meulaboh road is the economic backbone of the region and connects Aceh Province with the rest of North Sumatra and Indonesia. Assistance from the U.S. Government will help rebuild this essential infrastructure and the lives of thousands of people who lost their homes and livelihoods.

The Banda Aceh to Meulaboh national road is approximately 240 kilometers. The priority phase of reconstruction will rehabilitate a number of critical road sections and crossings (a total of 10 kilometers and 4 crossings) within the first sixty kilometers from Banda Aceh. The second phase will reconstruct approximately 230 kilometers of roadway including 108 crossings (bridges and culverts) from Banda Aceh to Meulaboh. Both U.S. and Indonesian firms will participate in a full and open competitive bidding process for work contracts.

Joining Deputy Secretary Zoellick at the signing ceremony were: Indonesian Public Works Minister Kirmanto, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Agency Director Kuntoro Mangkusubroto, Acting Aceh Governor Abu Bakar, U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia Lynn Pascoe, and USAID Mission Director William Frej.