West Lombok Hoteliers Submit Complaint on Bad Infrastructure

Tourism development in Sekotong, West Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTT) has been hindered by the limited road infrastructure in the regency. Although Sekotong tourism has developed in the past 10 years, the existing roads are inadequate to support its activities.

This was conveyed by a local businessman, I Gusti Ngurah Oka Arif. “I opened a three-kilometer road worth Rp100 million at my own expense,” he told Tempo in Sekotong, yesterday.

Sekotong is a surfing area and potential sea park, after international surfers discovered the Bangko-Bangko beach in the far west part of the island.. In one day, 50 to 60 surfers come from Bali to surf there, as well as two to three yachts.

In Sekotong, foreign investors have built villas and hotels. “Sekotong is more beautiful than Bali,” said Bali-born Ngurah Oka.

At present, Oka said, four of his foreign friends control 22 hectares worth Rp7,5 billion for hotel investment. Oka himself has built six villas in Buwun Mas Desa Panggang Village worth Rp14 billion.

Unfortunately, the access road to Sekotong is still non-existent because the 12-kilometer long road is seriously damaged. There is also no electricity in Sekotong. To prevent his business from losing money, Oka built the road out of his own pocket.