development

Leave a comment Posted on Editorial, News, Papua

New Face of Indonesia-PNG Cross Border Post

The newly polished Indonesia-Papua New Guinea (PNG) integrated border post in Skouw, Papua is now being a new tourist destination as ordered by President Joko Widodo. The building that stands as the border of Indonesia and PNG looks different than ever before. Officially opened on May 2017, it was built and designed with the cultural taste of Skouw.

The twin building outer design, a replication of entangled spouses, symbolizes the value of unity. Other distinguished cultural patterns and symbols are also embellished on every side of the building. Not only Skouw patterns, we can also find gecko patterns as a symbol of people in the border as well as a shield design on it.

Second Stage Construction

Currently, the main zone of Skouw border post includes the building which has been officially launched. Meanwhile, the construction of the second zone has begun and is expected to finish by the end of this year. The second stage construction includes the building of a church, a mosque, a market with 400 stands, a plenary hall, Wisma Indonesia (Indonesian House), and residential area for the staffs, police and military officers. The security fences and sea cliff’s fences would be built consecutively. Once the fences are erected, there would be no opening for illegal routes, eliminating the possibility of illegal border crossers.

“The first stage construction has completed. The second stage has reached 80 percent and to be wrapped up this year. There is two-hectares area for the national development,” Frans Imbiri, the Deputy of Skouw Border Post Area Development, explained in Muara Tami District, Jayapura (24/5).

Tourist Site and School’s Visit Destination

Not only Skouw Integrated Border Post is a symbol of a rapid development in border area, it is hyped as a new tourist site. Looking back to the old days, most border areas are usually crowded by visitors only during the market days. Now, there is no day without visitors coming from all regions, simply to take photos around the border post.

In order to anticipate the increasing numbers of visitors, the building of public toilets is included in the development agenda. Currently, there have been 10 toilets available inside the main building, and the construction for 10 additional toilets outside the building will soon be started.

Administrator of Skouw Integrated Border Post, Yan Z. Numberi said that President Jokowi instructed that this border post should be made as a new tourist destination. Therefore, people from any region can come and see. According to Yan, tourists’ enthusiasm is lived up after the post launching a year ago.

“Before the construction, the area was only used to cross the border. Not many people passing by here. But now thousands of people from all area of Indonesia visit it as a tourist destination,” Yan explained.

Most of the visitors come to the border post to take pictures of several unique and distinguished spots, such as the SKOUW sign in front of the post, the red-white Border Post of Indonesia sign, the front-side of the Garuda statue, and green areas around the post as well as the border gate. Some even asked the military officers to take picture together.

Not only tourists, groups of students often come to witness the new building of Skouw integrated border post. One of the groups visiting the border on the weekend are children from Children Empowerment Center in Skanto District, Keerom Regency. Those kids wearing green uniform walk along the border area to the neutral zone between Indonesia and PNG while listening to the the tour guide.

“We want to show the children the border and the monument. Many children haven’t been here before, thus we want to introduce them to our country’s border,” Yusfita, the tutor explained.

 

Source: Okezone.com

Leave a comment Posted on Papua, West Papua

Transpapua Road

The development of this mega project in Papua and West papua provinces will give better access within these provinces. Moreover, it will make traveling within Papua and West Papua to Raja Ampat easier and faster. With the distance of 4,325 km, Trans Papua road is already 85 percents completed. It will accommodate access and connectivity between central activities in Papua province and West Papua which includes Raja Ampat. These central activities are; Sorong, Timika, and Jayapura in Papua province, and Manokwari, Raja Ampat and Tanah Merah in West Papua province. Trans Papua road will cover two routes in each provinces of Papua and West Papua.

Papua province’s route: Jayapura-Wamena-Mulia, Jayapura-Sarmi, Jayapura-Hamadi-Holtekamp-Perbatasan Papua Nugini, Merauke-Waropko, Timika-Mapurujaya-Pomako, Nabire-Waghete-Enarotali, dan Serui-Menawi-Subeba.

West Papua province’s route: Manowari-Sorong, Manokwari-Bintuni, Fakfak-Hurimber-Bomberay, dan Sorong-Mega.

1 Comment Posted on Papua, West Papua

Raja Ampat’s Tourism Infrastructure Development

Raja Ampat has been the darling destination for divers and travelers around the world for quite some time. Its name is synonymous with beautiful beaches, clear blue sea and breathtaking underwater scenery. In Indonesia, the name Raja Ampat has just recently become popular. The reason why Raja Ampat’s name was initially not popular in its own country is because of the expensive trip to Raja Ampat. It was said that, because of the difficult access, one domestic trip to Raja Ampat can cost as much as one trip to Europe. This might be why domestic travelers have opted traveling abroad instead.

However, all of this would soon change for the better. With new infrastructure developments in Papua and Raja Ampat in particular, more people would be able to gain access to Raja Ampat. With cheaper costs and better convenience, pricey and challenging travel to Raja Ampat would soon be a thing of history.

With the new developments, beside improving access in Raja Ampat, it can also boost Raja Ampat’s tourism. With better infrastructures, not only will the tourists gain benefit, it would also give benefits to the local people of Papua. More economic boost, and source of income, as well as the direct benefit of better transportation.

So what are these new developments in tourist infrastructure? Lets see!

Marinda Airport

With such a long runway for a local airport (1,600 meters), which is the same as in the big cities of Indonesia, it can accommodate large aircrafts. Marinda Airport will be able to provide direct flight to Raja Ampat. No more long and arduous transits to Raja Ampat. Fly directly to Raja Ampat!

Dominique Edward Osok Airport (Sorong) Renovation

With the renovation of Edward Osok airport, foreign tourists will have better experience during their arrival. This can provide better international access for Raja Ampat. This means better gateway to Papua in general, and Raja Ampat in particular.

Bahari Express Fast Boat

This water transportation provides fast Water transportation from Sorong, as the nearest place of central activities in Papua, to tourist attractions In Raja Ampat. This boat will take you straight from Sorong to Waisai port in Waigeo island, Raja Ampat. Enjoy the water trip with a wonderful scenery along the way.

Waigeo Ring Road

With the distance of 757 km, Waigeo ring road will give way better access to 26 coastal villages in East and West Waigeo. This ring road is expected to give better connectivity between the four Islands of Raja Ampat. Raja Ampat itself means Four Kings, referring to the four islands in Raja Ampat, which are Misool, Salavat, Batanta, Waigeo and Kofiau.

The Waigeo Ring Road route will cover Waisai -Warsambin – Lopintol, Lopintol – Wawiyai, Wawiyai -Kabilol, Waisai – Sapokren – Wawiyai – Waisilip – Saleo – Selpele, Kalitoko – Waifoi – Kopadiri – Kabare, Kabilol – Go – Kopadiri, Kabare – Warmandi – Mnir – Puper – Yenbebaki – Urbinasopen – Yenzner -Mumes, also Yenzner – Kalitoko.

Trans Papua Road

The development of this mega project in Papua and West papua provinces will give better access within these provinces. Moreover, it will make traveling within Papua and West Papua to Raja Ampat easier and faster. With the distance of 4,325 km, Trans Papua road is already 85 percents completed. It will accommodate access and connectivity between central activities in Papua province and West Papua which includes Raja Ampat. These central activities are; Sorong, Timika, and Jayapura in Papua province, and Manokwari, Raja Ampat and Tanah Merah in West Papua province. Trans Papua road will cover two routes in each provinces of Papua and West Papua.

Papua province’s route: Jayapura-Wamena-Mulia, Jayapura-Sarmi, Jayapura-Hamadi-Holtekamp-Perbatasan Papua Nugini, Merauke-Waropko, Timika-Mapurujaya-Pomako, Nabire-Waghete-Enarotali, dan Serui-Menawi-Subeba.

West Papua province’s route: Manowari-Sorong, Manokwari-Bintuni, Fakfak-Hurimber-Bomberay, dan Sorong-Mega.

Tourism Facilities’ Renovation in Painemo Island

For better convenience and better service for tourists in Raja Ampat, currently there are renovations for tourism facilities in Painemo Island. Facilities such as toilets, souvenir shops, local handicraft stalls, and many others are being revamped in this Raja Ampat’s tourist destination. In the future, the renovation will expand to other touristic areas in Raja Ampat.

 

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