By: Santika Sari Devi )*
President Joko Widodo has inaugurated the Papua Youth Creative Hub (PYCH) Building in Jayapura. The existence of the PYCH Building is believed to be a new hope for advancing Papua.
The government is currently continuing to boost the development of human resources and infrastructure in various regions, and Papua is no exception. In order to achieve development success in Cendrawasih Earth, many obstacles and challenges were found in its implementation in the field. However, the government under President Jokowi continues to prioritize development programs to improve the welfare of the people in the Land of Papua.
Increased development during President Joko Widodo’s administration, namely the construction of the Trans Papua road which stretches for 3,462 kilometers. Then, the success of PLN’s electricity infrastructure which can be seen from the increase in the electrification ratio which was previously only 30.48 percent in 2013, shot up to 94.55 percent of the target of 100 percent in 2022.
This increase is felt in rural areas in Papua. Regarding the problem of the poverty rate in Papua Province, it has also decreased and the people’s quality of life has increased. According to data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), in 2021 the Gross Regional Domestic Product (GDP) at current prices (ADHB) for Papua Province has reached IDR 235.34 trillion.
Not only the Trans Papua road, Jokowi built a wharf and revitalized the old port to strengthen sea highway transportation to meet the affordability of cheap staple goods. This includes the revitalization of various airports as bridges for the distribution of goods to improve the local community’s economy.
Another infrastructure development that is currently under the spotlight is the construction of PYCH or ” Silicon Valley ” in Cendrawasih Earth.
Apart from Jayapura, the government also plans to build a PYCH building in Manokwari, West Papua Province. In this regard, it is known that the Regional Government (Pemda) of Manokwari Regency has granted 2 hectares of land to BIN for the construction of the PYCH Building in Manokwari.
Deputy Regent of Manokwari, Edi Budoyo hopes that this building will be able to support all inspirational, positive activities and increase skills to accelerate people’s welfare in Papua and West Papua.
The creation of PYCH was initiated by the Head of BIN, Budi Gunawan, who certainly was enthusiastically welcomed by Papuan youths. PYCH is a forum entrusted by President Jokowi to the Head of BIN, Budi Gunawan, to encourage all the young generation of Papua to work harder and create superior MSME products. PYCH will also accommodate various talents in the Land of Papua, ranging from millennial farmers, digital ecosystems, to research and innovation development. President Joko Widodo believes that the future of Papua and the future of Indonesia is in PYCH.
President Jokowi said the construction of PYCH was a space for Papuan and West Papuan youths in the context of developing technology, innovation, and local Papuan products to become the driving force and strengthen a good innovation and technology ecosystem.
President Jokowi feels that the current government has a big task of preparing good talent management to manage Papua, and this is where PYCH will play a role. And it is hoped that in a short time it can be utilized for the development of Human Resources (HR) in Papua and West Papua.
President Jokowi also said that there is still a lot of untapped and undeveloped potential in Papua and West Papua. According to the President, Papua has many opportunities to improve the welfare of its people.
One of the founders of PYCH, George Saa asked PYCH who was entrusted to be one of the managers of this building. A number of facilities built at PYCH will be the foundation for the birth of creativity and brilliant ideas in building Papua, including co-working space , exhibition space, theater space for arts and culture development, research space, MSME product room, training room, training room meeting, function room, culinary space, library, and health.
In addition, PYCH is also equipped with a dormitory building, 100 Mbps internet speed spread throughout the building, CCTV, control room, and a large parking area with a capacity of 53 cars, 154 motorbikes, and landscaping.
The government continues to optimize development for the people of Papua so that they can experience equal justice. This step is to ensure the acceleration of development is carried out in accordance with the program that has been prepared by President Jokowi. The success of development in Papua can be used as a benchmark for the amount of attention the Government pays to the people of the Land of Papua.
One of the youth leaders who joined the PYCH, Vitha Faidiban, also expressed his gratitude and thanks to President Joko Widodo and the Head of BIN, Budi Gunawan for the initiation and support for the construction of the PYCH building. He added that this building is a very extraordinary building and can help young Papuans to be creative. Vitha is also committed that his party will always use this building to issue ideas in building the nation, especially developing Papua.
In addition to demonstrating the Government’s commitment to advancing Papua, the presence of PYCH is expected to be able to accommodate the various creativity of the young Papuan generation who will continue the milestones of the nation’s development relay. Therefore, the existence of PYCH needs to receive wide appreciation from the wider community so that it can function properly.
*) The author is an investment economic observer from Pertiwi Institute.
