President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono will officiate several projects in West Papua province during his visit Thursday to Mansinam Island in Doreh Bay, just off the coast from the provincial capital Manokwari.

On Wednesday, West Papua Secretary George C. Auparai told reporters the projects had been carried out over the past two-and-a-half years and were spread out across the 31st province.

Mansinam Island was selected for Thursday's ceremony because Papuans from both West Papua and Papua provinces consider it a sacred island that spawned Papuan civilization.

That date is celebrated as Feb. 5, 1855, when German missionaries C.W. Ottow and J.G. Geissler landed on the island and began introducing the natives to Christianity.

That was the day Papuans first came into contact with the outside world, with many Papuans thus recognizing it as the dawn of their civilization.

"The island is highly sacred for Papuans because this is the place where Papuans began to have contact with the outside world and made it what it is now," Auparai said.

"The president's presence will also be historical, because of the six presidents who have led the country, he will be the first president to visit Mansinam.

"This is truly an extraordinary honor for Papuans."

Before arriving in Manokwari on Thursday, Yudhoyono and his entourage spent a night in Sorong on Wednesday and toured areas affected by an earthquake that rocked the province on Jan. 4.

In addition to officiating the projects, Yudhoyono is also scheduled to hand over post-quake aid to West Papua Governor Abraham O. Atururi.

The aid includes Rp 3 billion (US$266,667) in funding, assistance for the rehabilitation of 2,009 severely damaged homes, 2,124 moderately damaged homes, and highway repairs in Manokwari and Sorong.

First Lady Kristiani Herawati will also hand over assistance to students.

In the evening, Yudhoyono will meet with local community leaders.

The presidential entourage will leave on Friday for Bali, staying there until Saturday.

Auparai said the visit also carried political weight to boost the province's national profile.

"The President's presence means there are no more problems with the province's existence, both de jure and de facto," he said.

West Papua's creation in 1999 sparked strong protests by some Papuans who called it Jakarta's way of dividing Papuans. The province was officially established in 2003.

Highlighted Projects

A 50-kilometer highway connecting the Fakfak regency seat with Kokas district

The 240-meter Anggruni Bridge in Manokwari regency

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