By: Rani Kumala *)
Various criticisms against the government kept rolling by activists and separatists. Infrastructure development tends uneven, concentrated only on Java. According to them, the uneven development cause the rampant poverty. this issue is also used by separatists for inciting the public. They accused the government does not pay attention and consider Papua as part of Indonesia.
Development in Papua indeed be a difficult choice and the stakes for the government. For commercial, infrastructure development in Papua may not provide input that is so significant because of the low population numbers and number of products produced in Papua. Development of this transportation could also be key to the progress of Papua. The existence of the infrastructure will have a positive impact on the long term.
In this government, President jokowi is increasingly serious to boost infrastructure development in Papua. President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has inaugurated a groundbreaking development of the Trans Papua along 4,325 kilometers (km) in 2015 ago. This year, the government also plans to build railway lines that will begin in the second half of this year. Previously, the government also has launched sea toll that will facilitate and simplify the delivery of logistics to and from Papua.
Implementation of development has always faced serious obstacles. Many factors must be resolved such as land acquisition problems and the existence of separatist groups that anytime could threaten the safety of construction workers. To that end, the development of infrastructure in Papua also need the support of the people of Papua themselves. Society must also reject the existence of separatist groups which can inhibit the development of infrastructure such as shootings by OPM to 4 workers of Trans Papua Contruction last March. The realization of transport infrastructure development in Papua will be the achievement of government that will be the key to progress and prosperity of the people of Papua.
*) Author is a Social observer
