goodmorningpapua.com – A Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment (Kemenko Marves), Luhut B. Pandjaitan, ensures that infrastructure development and regional development in West Papua run smoothly without any obstacles.
“Through this development, it can not only improve connectivity from isolation, but also advance the region in West Papua,” concluded Coordinating Minister Luhut while chairing coordination meetings and working visits to Sorong and Raja Ampat in the context of accelerating infrastructure development and regional development in West Papua Province. Thursday (11/8/2022).
A Coordinating Minister Luhut advised that through this development, West Papua must maintain its natural and cultural characteristics as regional characteristics.
A Coordinating Minister Luhut also wants all development to proceed according to a predetermined timeline. Of course, based on the results of the study as a work reference.
Local governments, supported by the Central Government, can invite local universities and other academics to assist in conducting a research.
“For example, Seaplane Airport, which was built close to Marinda Airport. After a study and construction of a runway of 1,500 meters and a width of 30 meters has been carried out, it will be continued with the pilot project for the N219 seaplane,” he said.
Some of the infrastructure development progress is included in the National Strategic Project (PSN) and the Major Project of the 2020-2024 National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN).
On the same occasion, Plt. Deputy for Infrastructure Coordination and Transformation, Rachmat Kaimudin, explained about the progress of the construction of the Trans Papua Road which will be built along 3,462 kilometers, strategic roads in West Papua, Siboru Fak Fak Airport, Existing Sorong Port and Arar Port, Waisai Port, Waters Airport ( Seaplane), water resources blue infrastructure, Tangguh LNG Train 3 Project, as well as regional economic development which can later improve the value chain of local food sources and support national food security.
A Deputy Rachmat as the leader who oversees the development of the project said that infrastructure development in West Papua must encourage the development of a new economy in the surrounding area.
Meanwhile, Sorong Mayor Lambert Jitmau revealed that so far, regional development has been the main target. Although there was a decline in economic growth in 2020 to -3.22 percent from 6.73 percent in 2019, conditions in 2021 have improved and show a figure of -1.44 percent.
“Sorong Regency has a vision to become the most advanced city in Papua by boosting various fields, ranging from tourism, services, education, and others,” he said.
The Coordinating Minister Luhut advised that all development in West Papua must use domestic products, such as using Buton Asphalt in road construction and others that can be ordered through an online shopping application developed by the Government Goods/Services Procurement Policy Institute (LKPP), namely E-Catalog. Utilizing E-Catalog means supporting Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and industry to grow.
Seeing the abundant natural resources in West Papua, the Coordinating Minister Luhut said that in the future there will also be downstream industry over there. The meeting participants also agreed with the idea in order to have a positive impact on the regional economy, increase value added and create job opportunities.
One of the downstream activities that can be carried out is the Tangguh LNG Train Project 3. The abundant gas availability in West Papua can be utilized by establishing a petrochemical plant in the Onar Industrial Estate in Bintuni Bay.
After the coordination meeting was completed in Sorong, Coordinating Minister Luhut and his staff moved to Raja Ampat to visit Marinda Airport, Waisai Harbor, and Waisai Torang Cinta Beach. There, the importance of protecting the environment.
“As the owner of one of the most beautiful tourist destinations known throughout the world, West Papua must protect God’s gift. For example, by not cutting down trees and mangroves so that nature remains green and the sea remains blue,” he concluded.
In addition, in Raja Ampat, regulations can be applied so that visitors take their plastic waste home as an effort to reduce the production of plastic waste.
“Microplastics are very dangerous if they are eaten by fish, especially if they are then consumed by humans. The impact on his health is so bad,” said Luhut
He also invited that as the largest archipelagic country in the world, Indonesia needs to continue to set an example in its waste management program.
Luhut also mentioned the importance of establishing excellent schools and universities in West Papua. Therefore, he wants that apart from infrastructure, education in West Papua will also continue to develop.
Also present at the activities of related parties, starting from the Regent of Fakfak, Regent of Raja Ampat, Regent of Sorong, Regent of Teluk Bintuni, Director General (Dirjen) of Oil and Gas Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (KESDM), Director General of Air Transportation Ministry of Transportation, Director General Social Forestry and Social Partnerships of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK), Deputy for Destination Development and Infrastructure of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, to invited representatives of ministries/agencies and companies.