In previous years, Papuan development lagged behind other regions. But now Papua is increasingly advanced with various infrastructure projects such as the Trans Papua Road and Youtefa Bridge. This modernity was realized thanks to the government’s attention of and aim to improve the region.
The many facilities and infrastructure that have been constructed have brought benefits and won the praise of the Papuan people. These are the main infrastructure projects:
1. Stadion Papua Bangkit (Papua Rises Stadium)
The magnificent stadium which was renamed Lukas Enembe Stadium is located in Kampung Harapan, East Sentani district, Jayapura Regency, Papua. The construction of this stadium was completed in 2019 in order to host the 20th PON (National Sports Week) in 2020.
The presence of this stadium has become an icon or landmark for the people of Indonesia, especially the people of Papua. This stadium has a capacity of more than 40,000 spectators and has been equipped with facilities of international standard. One of the excellent facilities is a football field that is in line with FIFA standards.
Besides being supported by modern technology, the outside of the stadium is also surrounded by curved steel façade ornaments by highlighting typical Papuan carvings that add an ethnic dimension to the magnificent stadium. The stadium, which was nominated as best stadium in the world in 2019, was built using funds totalling Rp1.3 trillion. Now this stadium is claimed to be the best and second grandest stadium in Indonesia after Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta.
2. Youtefa Bridge
The bridge, better known as the Holtekam bridge, was inaugurated by President Jokowi on Youth Pledge Day, October 28, 2019. This bridge began to be built in 2015 where the laying of the first stone was carried out by President Jokowi himself.
The construction of the bridge over Youtefa Bay costs around Rp1.8 trillion with the length of the main span of the bridge reaching 732 m and connecting the main area of Jayapura city with Muara Tami district.
The Bridge has become a landmark of Papua which also has several strategic benefits, namely as a solution to the issue of population density in the city of Jayapura. This bridge also shortens the travel time from the city of Jayapura to Muara Tami district and the State Cross Border Post (PLBN) by about 70 minutes.
3. Trans Papua Road
Trans Papua is one of the monumental road construction projects. This road stretches from the Bird’s Head area in the Domberai Sorong customary area, West Papua to the Animha earth in Merauke, Papua. If totalled, the length reaches around 3,462 km or more than four times the distance between Jakarta and Surabaya which is recorded at 800 km.
The Trans Papua Road was built to improve the welfare of the Papuan people by increasing access and connectivity between regions so as to open up isolated areas. Before the road connection network between regions in Papua was established, people had to rely on air transportation which had an impact on the high price of basic necessities. The development of Trans Papua is expected to reduce the construction cost index, reduce poverty and equitable distribution of infrastructure development throughout Indonesia.
4. Airports
Since the current President’s leadership, the Indonesian government has built and developed several airports. These include the Ewer Airport in Asmat, Mozes Kilangin Airport in Timika, Siboru Airport in Fakfak, Douw Aturure Airport in Nabire, and Mopah Airport in Merauke.
These airports were built because road access to Papua is not easy. There are still many areas where access is difficult, and there are even areas where access requires days of travel. To support the mobility needs of the community and support economic activities, the government built these new airports in Papua.
5. Skouw Cross-Border Post (PLBN)
The Cross-Border Post (PLBN) in Mosso Village, Muara Tami district, Jayapura City, Papua is the largest border post on Papua. PLBN Skouw could be said to be the front porch for Indonesia on the border with Papua New Guinea.
PLBN Skouw has become one of the very strategic borders including for the economic development of communities on the Indonesia-Papua New Guinea border.
Those are some of the infrastructures built in Papua during the era of President Jokowi, in the hope that the economy can grow evenly throughout Indonesia, and move away from an economy that is Java-centric.
West Papua Now 