President Joko Widodo’s (Jokowi) administration has intensified infrastructure development in Eastern Indonesia in his ten years in office, including the Trans-Papua Road. The construction of the Trans-Papua Road, which is included in the National Strategic Project (PSN) and the 2020-2024 National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN).
The Trans-Papua Road project was launched along 3,462 km. During the 10 years of Jokowi’s administration, the Trans Papua Road that has been built has reached around 3,462 kilometres with 1,733 kilometres paved and the remaining 1,712 kilometres unpaved.
The Trans Papua Road itself stretches from the Bird’s Head region in the Domberai Customary Territory, Sorong, West Papua, to Bumi Anim Ha in Merauke, Papua.
In the book ‘Roads in Indonesia: from Sabang to Merauke’ compiled by the research team of the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing, 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 isolated areas.
Prior to the road network, connectivity between regions in Papua had to rely on air transport. This had an impact on the high prices of basic necessities. With the Trans-Papua Road and various other development projects, connectivity has improved and facilitated the distribution of goods. The Trans-Papua Road is also the lifeblood of Papua’s economy.
Head of BPJN West Papua Mauluddin Said Latar explained that the presence of the Trans Papua Road can reduce distance and travelling time. In addition, it also reduces transport costs to transport basic needs in the region.
“For example, before there was a national road, it took 20 days to transport basic needs from Java Island to Bintuni Bay using ships. Now with the national road in Manokwari to Bintuni Island, it can shorten the logistics route and make the price of basic necessities much cheaper,” said Udin in the Directorate General of Highways’ Road and Bridge Talk Podcast as seen by Medcom.id, Sunday 6 October 2024.
He also added that the positive impact of development is felt by the community, including the various new economic activities such as settlements, plantations, agriculture and so on, so that it can level the economy due to the opening of access to all regions.
“The construction of roads and bridges, apart from having an impact on the economic sector, also has an impact on the education and health sectors. Education is felt by the Papuan people, namely the presence of more teaching staff and health workers who are actively involved in building human resource education and maintaining the health of the Papuan people,” he added.
West Papua Now 