The government continues to optimize infrastructure development in the Papua region, including in West Papua. With infrastructure development that is evenly distributed to the villages, West Papua and all of Papua will become more advanced.
The infrastructure in West Papua has been built very well. The public appreciates the government’s steps in modernizing West Papua, because it will erase the gap between the western and eastern parts of Indonesia. Papua, West Papua and 4 other provinces there continue to be developed to advance and improve the economy of their people.
The development carried out in West Papua is focused on village areas. There, infrastructure development is being carried out because that is what the people need. Acting Governor of West Papua Paulus Waterpauw said that the development of village potential will run optimally if it is supported by adequate infrastructure, because it has a positive impact on improving the economy of village communities.
Paulus added, according to President Joko Widodo’s direction, regional governments must develop from the outskirts. The West Papua Provincial Government prioritizes the development of basic infrastructure in rural areas such as roads, bridges and sanitation in order to improve the quality of life of the community.
Currently, the provincial government through the Public Works and Public Housing Service (PUPR) has completed the construction of a 1.3 kilometer environmental road in Wariori Village, Masni District, Manokwari Regency. This infrastructure development is being carried out in stages in six other districts, namely South Manokwari, Arfak Mountains, Bintuni Bay, Wondama Bay, Kaimana and Fakfak.
Development continues and of course in stages because it is adjusted to budget capabilities and the priority scale of village needs. The people are patient and they are happy because their area has been touched by development, even though it is in a village.
Development in West Papua’s rural areas is very important because the people need it. So far they have only been able to pass along the footpath. As a result, the journey becomes long and long, especially with Papua’s fluctuating geographic conditions.
The conditions in Papua are very different from those in Java, where the geography is quite difficult. In other words, there are still paths, forests, hills, and this will make it difficult for people’s mobility. However, when there is infrastructure development, it will be tidied up more so that the road is suitable for motorized vehicles to pass through.
When there is infrastructure in the form of roads, bridges and cross-village roads, the village community benefits. They can pass through representative roads and shorten travel time. The village community is grateful to the regional government and central government for paying attention to their needs.
When a road is built in a village, it has a positive impact on the economy. Delivery of goods to the city or vice versa will be smoother. Village communities will become more advanced and financially stronger.
Equitable development must be carried out in West Papua, both in urban and rural areas. Equal distribution is mandatory so that not only city residents can enjoy the results of infrastructure development, but also residents who live in villages. Once there is equality, the government proves the application of the principle of ‘Justice for All Indonesian People’.
Meanwhile, Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Basuki Hadimuljono received a visit from members of the DPR RI and DPD from Papua in Jakarta. The visit focused on the development of road infrastructure in Papua and West Papua. Council members from Papua and West Papua formed a Special Papua Committee (Pansus Papua) which discussed the Papua region as a whole.
Road infrastructure development in Papua and West Papua is very important. Because road access can open up isolated areas, which are still many in Papua. Apart from that, road access will also reduce public transportation costs both for production needs and as a means of land transportation.
Minister Basuki stated that he acknowledged that the prices of materials and other production were quite expensive in Papua. For this reason, the PUPR Ministry, with its limited budget, continues to strive to ensure road access can be implemented. So, PUPR is working with regional governments to sit down together to make plans for road construction in Papua and West Papua.
In other words, the development of West Papua is taken seriously by the government and is carried out with the assistance of the PUPR Ministry. With collaboration between the regional government and the PUPR Ministry, the people of West Papua are optimistic that development will be realized quickly.
With development that is evenly distributed to the villages of West Papua, the people are optimistic that their lives will improve. Development carried out in remote areas must be carried out because the people of West Papua are Indonesian people who have the right to receive it.
Infrastructure development is being carried out in West Papua down to the village areas. Rural communities are very grateful because there is attention from the regional government and the central government. They need a touch of infrastructure development to have roads that are representative, strong, durable and make everyday mobility easier.
