Papua is one of the main priorities for Jokowi-Jusuf Kalla’s administration. Through Ministry of Public Work and Housing (PUPR), infrastructure development that support connectivity including Trans-Papua road should be improved gradually and accelerated its development. In 2017,631,3 kilometers of Trans-Papua road in West Papua Province was paved. It covered 57 percent from the total of 1070,62 kilometers projected.
Minister of Public Work and Housing, Basuki Hadimuljono said that the road construction aimed to open wider access to remote areas, reduce costs, and increase the quality of life for people in Papua.
The finalization of Trans-Papua road is one of the manifestations of “Nawa Cita” Program in Jokowi-Kalla administration, which aimed to manage development from the outermost region of Indonesia.
“The construction of Trans-Papua road will be continued and is estimated to be completed by the end of 2019. We expect the impact of Trans-Papua road can benefit everyone.” Said Basuki Hadimuljono, Friday (13/04/2018)
The Chief of Executive National Road XII West Papua, Yohanis Tulak Todingrara explained that Trans-Papua road in West Papua Province has been divided into two segments. The first segment would be Sorong-Maybrat-Manokwari (594,81 kilometers). This route will connect Solok and Manokwari, two economic centers of West Papua Province. The route will also connect to Arar Seaport, one of The Special Economy Regions (KEK). The latest report in the end of 2017, 81,6 percent of the road has been paved, while the remaining 109,24 was in progress and the other 13,5 kilometers needed geometrical improvement.
The second segment, Segment II that connects Manokwari- Mameh- Wasior- Papua Province cross-border was approved in December 2017. From total of 475,8 kilometers, about 145,41 kilometers was paved, 330,41 kilometers is under pavement process and 38,24 kilometers needed geometrical improvement.
The challenges in Trans-Papua road construction, Both in Papua Province and West Papua are geographical conditions, which mostly consists of forest, mountains and extreme weather.
In addition, the availability of construction material is limited. However the central government continue to devote serious effort in using local material.
In 2018, the budget of road construction in West Papua is estimated at 1,6 trillion rupiah. The budget will be channeled to geometrical improvement and the construction of 125 bridges. “We expected that in the late of 2018, about 60,14 percent of Trans-Papua road in West Papua provinces will be paved about 64,56 percent in 2019”. Said Yohanis
Source: Kompas.com
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