Sustainability of Infrastructure Development in Papua and West Papua Becomes the Government's Commitment

The Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) continues to strive to realize the Government of Indonesia's commitment to reliable infrastructure development in the provinces of Papua and West Papua by 2022. This was conveyed by the Minister of PUPR Basuki Hadimuljono after a meeting with the Regent of the Bintang Mountains Spei Yan Bidana at the Ministry Office PUPR on Friday, (12/3/2021).

“President Jokowi has a strong commitment to develop Papua and West Papua, as can be seen from the number of visits by the President to Papua. Every time he visits Papua, he always checks one by one every infrastructure built, whether roads, housing, water. Especially border roads, Trans Papua roads, and cross-border posts (PLBN)," said Minister Basuki.

In accordance with President Jokowi's mandate, the Ministry of PUPR is taking breakthrough steps for infrastructure development in Papua and West Papua to be more integrated, precise, focused and synergized with ministries/agencies and local governments.

Minister Basuki revealed that the PUPR Ministry had built 3 PLBNs in Papua and West Papua, namely Skouw PLBN in Jayapura City, Sota PLBN in Merauke Regency, and Yetetkun PLBN in Boven Digoel Regency. During the meeting, the Regent of the Bintang Mountains, Spei Yan Bidana, submitted a proposal to build a PLBN in the Batom District, Bintang Mountains Regency, Papua. "We will immediately convey the PLBN proposal in the Batom district to President Jokowi. If it is really needed, we will definitely wake up soon," said Minister Basuki.

The Ministry of PUPR is also committed to completing the construction of the Trans Papua Road connecting Papua and West Papua. Minister Basuki said that of the total length of the Trans Papua road, which is 3,462 km, only 183 km remain which have not been penetrated. As long as 1,647 km are already in a paved condition, namely 977 km in Papua and 670 km in West Papua. "Earlier, the Regent has asked to speed up the completion of the road from Keerom Regency to Batom District, we will continue to strive for acceleration so that it can immediately penetrate," he said.

In addition to the PLBN and the Trans Papua Road, the fulfillment of basic needs and services with infrastructure support carried out by the Ministry of PUPR in Papua and West Papua includes infrastructure development to support the implementation of the XX National Sports Week (PON) as well as the construction of special houses, clean water, environmental roads and suspension bridges in Asmat, Mappi, and Mamberamo Raya Regencies.

The Ministry of PUPR's DIPA for the 2022 budget year has been decided with a total budget of Rp. 100.59 trillion. According to the direction of the Ministry of Finance, 5% of the total budget must be saved to anticipate the pandemic. "Because we are still facing a pandemic, there is still a 5% savings that we hold first. If the pandemic can be completed in the first half of 2022, then we can use the savings to increase infrastructure development," said Minister Basuki.

The Ministry of PUPR hopes that with this continuous commitment, it can contribute to providing real solutions and contributions in responding to challenges and advancing the people of Papua and West Papua. The Ministry of PUPR will continue to pay attention to governance in its implementation, so that the quality is right, the target is right, and the administration is right.

SOURCE: https://www.beritaarea.co.id/2021/12/06/keberlanjutan-pembinaan-infraktur-di-papua-dan-papua-barat-menjadi-komitmen-government/