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Government invests Rp 7.6t in infrastructure in Papua, W. Papua
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Workers are seen at a cement plant in South Manokwari, West Papua, in May 2016. The plant, funded by China with Rp6 trillion (US$445.4), will become the first cement plant in this easternmost region of the country. (Kompas/Jannes Eudes Wawa)
P
ublic Works and Public Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono says the government has invested Rp 7.6 trillion (US$371 million) to develop infrastructure and housing in Papua and West Papua, including roads to improve access to isolated areas.
The projects, which are stipulated in Presidential Regulation No. 3/2016 on national strategic projects, include the development of a trans-Papua road, road construction in areas near the border with Papua New Guinea and other projects in Skouw, Jayapura.
“The development of Papua is not only aimed at opening up isolated areas, but also at lowering prices,” said Basuki, as reported by tempo.co on Wednesday.
The projects were part of the government’s efforts to reduce the socio-economic disparity between western and eastern parts of the country, he added.
Four of the government’s designated 35 strategic development regions (WPS) are in the provinces of Papua and West Papua: namely road development on the routes Sorong-Manokwari, Manokwari-Bintuni, Nabire-Enarotali-Wamena and Jayapura-Merauke.
“The development of infrastructure aims to reduce regional and economic disparity. The roads will accelerate movement in the areas; improve security and lower the prices of commodities,” he added. (bbn)
