Improving Equity, Ministry of PUPR Accelerates Infrastructure Development for Papua and West Papua

The Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) continues to be committed to realizing reliable infrastructure development in the provinces of Papua and West Papua. It aims to reduce poverty, reduce the cost index and equitable distribution of infrastructure development throughout Indonesia.

To support this, the Ministry of PUPR takes breakthrough steps for infrastructure development that are more integrated, precise, focused and synergized with ministries/agencies and local governments. "This is in accordance with the mandate of Presidential Instruction No. 9 of 2020 and the direction of President Joko Widodo," said PUPR Minister Basuki Hadimuljono.

In FY 2021, the budget allocation for PUPR infrastructure development for Papua Province is Rp 6.19 trillion for Water Resources (SDA) Rp 732.87 billion, roads and bridges Rp 4.49 trillion, settlements Rp 683.03 billion and housing Rp 288. 35 billion. Based on current data, the physical progress of infrastructure development in Papua FY 2021 is 37.95% and financial is 41.06%.

Meanwhile, in West Papua Province, Rp 3.75 trillion is allocated, which will be used for the natural resources sector, Rp. 543.27 billion, roads and bridges Rp. 2.66 trillion, Rp. 312.23 billion for settlements and Rp. 228.83 billion for housing. Based on current data, the physical progress of infrastructure development in West Papua for the 2021 FY is 44.09% and the financial is 42.9%.

Minister Basuki said that one of the ways to improve the welfare of the Papuan people was by opening up isolated areas and increasing access and connectivity from land and multimodal, including the construction of the Trans Papua Road with a total length of 3462 km.

Of the total length, currently the road that has been through is 3,446 km, with 1,733 km of asphalt, 1,712 km of unpaved and 16 km of unpaved roads. In 2021, the handling of the Trans Papua Road in Papua, which is 139 km long and West Papua 120 km, includes new construction, road opening and structural/pavement improvement.

In addition, the PUPR Ministry is also completing the construction of the Border Road in Papua with a total length of 1,098 km, of which 931 km has penetrated with 756 km of asphalt.

In 2021, a 34 km long Border Road in Papua is being worked on, including new construction, road opening and structural/pavement improvement. In the border areas, the Ministry of PUPR has built the Yetetkun Cross-Border Post (PLBN) with a progress of 8% with a target of completion in April 2022) and the Sota PLBN which has been completed in 2020, including market facilities.

Furthermore, to support the development of human resource capacity, the Ministry of PUPR has built 179 schools and has handled religions, 1 PTN, and 8 sports facilities in Papua. In addition, the PUPR Ministry also conducts construction services HR training involving Papuan and West Papuan native partners.

To increase local economic growth, the Ministry of PUPR has completed the rehabilitation/reconstruction of Wouma Market in Wamena in 2020 with a budget of Rp. 2.1 billion and the rehabilitation/reconstruction of 403 shop houses in Wamena after social conflict with a budget of Rp. 138.6 billion. Furthermore, the Ministry of PUPR is conducting an auction for the construction of the Thumburuni Market in Fakfak, West Papua with a plan to start construction in early August 2021.

Meanwhile, to provide more work space for Papuan sons and daughters who are superior, creative, and advanced, the Expert Staff of the Minister of PUPR for Technology, Innovation and Environment as well as Spokesperson for the Ministry of PUPR Endra S. Atmawidjaja said that the Directorate General of Human Settlements would carry out the task of constructing a development center. Creative Papua or Youth Creative Hub in Jayapura, Papua Province. Currently, the progress is in preparation for the auction and it is planned to start physical construction on August 31, 2021. Endra added that President Jokowi pays great attention to the Papua Youth Creative Hub so that it can be realized immediately for the progress of Papua and West Papua.

SOURCE: https://www.pu.go.id/berita/ingkatkan-pemerataan-kementerian-pupr-percepat-pembinaan-infraktur-papua-dan-papua-barat