By: Jazzy Ravina)*
Papua is proven to benefit from the government’s planned development. These various developments have been proven to increase transportation access so that they have a positive impact on the economic development of the people.
One of the infrastructure developments whose benefits can be directly felt is the construction of Trans Papua. The Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (KPUPR) said the length of the Trans Papua road in Papua reached 2,902 km.
The roads include the Merauke-Tanah Merah-Waropko (543), Waropko-Oksibil (136), Dekai-Oksibil (225 km) and Kenyam-Dekai (180 km) roads. Then, Wamena-Habema-Kenyam-Mamug (295 km), Jayapura-Elelim-Wamena (585 km), Wamena-Mulia-Ilaga-Enarotali (466 km), Wagete-Timika (196 km) and Enarotali-Wagete-Nabire ( 285 km).
Jayapura-Elelim-Wamena is the longest trans-Papua road in Papua. Elelim, the capital of Yalimo Regency. Previously, there was already a road from Wamena to Elelim. Through this road, a new route was opened from Jayapura via Senggi, Keerom Regency.
In the national development plan, Papua and Maluku become one node of the economic corridor. As an economic corridor, there will be investment projects based on natural resources, the development of special areas, to the creation of new economic centers. Road infrastructure development, one way to connect these areas. The five main economic activities in the Papua-Maluku corridor are food agriculture, copper, nickel, oil and gas and fisheries.
The Trans Papua road is a national project because it connects Papua and West Papua. Projects planned by the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas). Commissioned by KPUPR through the National Road Hall. In addition to building roads, the government is also building a new terminal for Mopah Airport, Merauke Papua. The airport was inaugurated by the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo.
The chairman of the DPR RI, Puan Maharani, in her statement said, within the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia, we want isolated or difficult-to-access areas. He hopes that with the expansion of the new passenger terminal covering an area of 7,200 meters, Mopah Airport can bring as many benefits as possible to the people, especially the people of Papua. According to Puan, the new Mopah Airport terminal should make it easier to access public transportation so that it is hoped that it will be easier for people to come to Merauke to see the beauty of the eastern tip of Indonesia.
Puan said that every part of Indonesia’s territory must be connected, either by land, sea or air. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen airports in disadvantaged, frontier, outermost and border areas (3TP). Puan said that people should be able to imagine that later people from Sabang will not be confused about the route and transportation if they want to explore Merauke
According to him, the new terminal for Mopah Airport shows the progress of Papua because more and more infrastructure is being built, showing the government’s commitment to the progress of the Earth of Cenderawasih. According to him, Papua has also proven capable of becoming a developed region, including the success of organizing XX PON.
One of the importance of development for Papua is the high poverty rate in Papua. Until the end of 2020, the percentage of poverty in Papua reached 26.8 percent. This figure refers to the number of people living in poverty in Papua, more than a quarter of the population. Of course, this cannot be handled only by providing cash assistance.
To overcome this, of course what can be done is the application of inclusive development evenly on every issue. The economy is strengthened by opening up various job opportunities, as well as improving the quality of human resources in Papua.
Basuki Hadimuljono as Menpupera said that his party took a number of breakthrough steps for infrastructure development in an integrated, precise, focused and synergized manner with ministries/agencies and local governments.
Basuki said, to create reliable infrastructure, Kempupera is committed to implementing an equitable development program to improve people’s welfare. Then, affirmative support for improving the human resources (HR) of the Papuan people.
President Joko Widodo’s seriousness in developing Papua is no joke. At least during his first term as president, Jokowi visited Bumi Cenderawasih 12 times. While in his second term until now, Jokowi has visited Papua at least 2 times. This step aims to ensure the acceleration of development is carried out according to the program made.
Infrastructure development in Papua is one of the government’s efforts in realizing equitable national development. This is a manifestation of the government’s attention to border areas for the sake of improving welfare.
)* The author is a contributor to the Pertiwi Institute
