Kupang, E Nusa Tenggara (ANTARA) – Indonesia's East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Deputy Governor Johni Asadoma has set a target for the National Salt Industry Center (K-SIGN) construction in Rote Ndao District to be completed by June 2026.”As of today, progress on the Rote Salt National Strategic Project (PSN) has reached 92 percent, and we are pushing for completion by June 2026,” he said in Rote Ndao, NTT, on Saturday, following an inspection of the site.He stated that the provincial and district governments are prepared to intervene and help resolve any obstacles on the ground to ensure construction remains on track in the project.Asadoma noted that establishing a national salt industrial zone in Rote Ndao is a strategic move by the government to reduce dependence on salt imports while strengthening domestic industrial self-sufficiency.The development of the salt industry center is projected to have a positive impact on job creation, with a potential of creating 26,000 jobs, 80 to 90 percent of which will go to local workers.”This will serve as a new economic driver and a solution to reduce the unemployment rate, which remains quite high in NTT,” he remarked.According to him, unemployment in the province currently stands at approximately 125,000 people, making the presence of a national strategic project like the K-SIGN is highly significant in improving public welfare.The deputy governor also expressed his appreciation to the central government, particularly the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, and all parties involved in accelerating the project's construction.He emphasized that the success of the national strategic project depends heavily on cross-sector synergy between the central government, regional authorities, and the private sector as project executors.Project Manager Erwan Fatrianstah of PT Nindya Karya explained that the construction of the embankment, the project's primary infrastructure, is nearly complete, and the work has now entered the finishing stage.“The first phase of K-SIGN is targeted for completion by the middle of this year,” Fatrianstah added.