JABAR EKSPRES — The income of the portal guard of Osi Island Bridge, West Seram Regency (SBB), West Seram District, Maluku, has increased during the Eid al-Fitr 1444 Hijri/2023 Holiday.
“During Eid al-Fitr, our income increased to Rp500,000 to Rp800,000 per day, whereas on normal days we only earn around Rp70,000 per day,” said La Samadu, a portal guard at Osi Island Bridge, in Ambon, Tuesday (25/4).
“Yes, during Eid al-Fitr, I can get from Rp500,000 to Rp800,000 per day compared to ordinary days. But if it’s fasting, it’s very quiet,” he said.
Samadu continued, for the entrance price of Rp5000 for motorcycles, and per person only Rp.2000. Meanwhile, cars cannot enter yet.
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“Cars cannot enter yet. So it is mandatory for motorcycles and pedestrians only. We use the money to rehabilitate the bridge. The bridge has been rehabbed twice,” he said.
Samadu said, the money he earned from guarding the bridge portal was handed over to the Osi Island Hamlet treasury, where the money is kept for bridge repairs.
“If there is damaged wood, then I tell the hamlet head to buy wood. I will monitor if there is a damaged bridge, and I will also repair it,” he said.
Samadu admitted that the money would also be given to him as much as 30 percent of what he earned for a month.
“But I am also given Rp20,000 per day. If there are many visitors, I can usually be given more too,” he said.
It is known that Osi Island is one of the favorite tourist attractions in Maluku, especially in SBB Regency. Osi Island is now more visited because of the long bridge that connects to the village of Osi Island along 1,715 meters.
Along the way on the Osi Island bridge, there are thousands of mangrove trees that crowd the edge of the bridge.
