One of the biggest problems facing this nation is the problem of development gaps that occur between regions. In one area, for example, in the West, there is massive infrastructure development; however, in the eastern region, development tends to be neglected.
For this reason, the central government is committed to reducing economic disparities through increasing equity in infrastructure development. This is also the reason for the government to increase the budget for infrastructure development in eastern Indonesia.
The central government is committed to equitable distribution of infrastructure growth in eastern Indonesia, particularly in the two youngest provinces, Papua and West Papua.
The government’s commitment is proven by providing an Infrastructure Additional Fund budget for the two provinces.
Data from the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing states that in 2022, the additional funds available for infrastructure development will reach Rp 4.37 trillion.
This budget will be allocated to construct transportation infrastructure, clean water, electricity, telecommunications, and environmental sanitation.
The government is optimistic that the additional budget will reduce poverty, cost index and distribute infrastructure development evenly throughout Indonesia.
The government is taking breakthrough steps in more integrated, precise, and focused infrastructure development on realising equitable development, especially in the West Papua region. The central government cooperates and synergises with ministries/agencies and local governments.
The policy is contained in Presidential Instruction No. 9/2020 concerning the Acceleration of Welfare Development in Papua Province and West Papua Province.
Data from the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing stated that West Papua Province received an infrastructure budget allocation of Rp 3.75 trillion.
The amount of the budget is used for the natural resources sector of Rp. 543.27 billion, roads and bridges of Rp. 2.66 trillion, settlements of Rp. 312.23 billion, and housing of Rp. 228.83 billion.
Based on current data, the physical progress of infrastructure development in West Papua for the 2021 FY is 44.09% and the financial is 42.9%.
https://pixabay.com/photos/driveway-access-road-gate-path-340193/
Improved Transportation Access
Equitable distribution of infrastructure development in West Papua is also carried out by increasing access to transportation, opening regional isolation, and increasing connectivity from land and multimodal.
For now, access to transportation in this province is done by building the Trans Papua Road with a total length of 3462 km. Of the total length, currently the road that has been through is 3,446 km, with 1,733 km of asphalt, 1,712 km of unpaved roads and 16 km of unpaved roads.
In 2021 the construction of the 139 km Trans Papua Road and 120 km West Papua includes new construction, road opening and structural/pavement improvement.
In 2021, the government will also work on a 34 km Border Road project in Papua, including new construction, road opening, and structural/pavement improvement.
In border areas, the Ministry is building the Yetetkun Cross-Border Post (PLBN) with a progress of 8% with a target completion of April 2022 and the Sota PLBN completed in 2020, including market facilities.
In addition to focusing on equitable distribution of infrastructure development, the Ministry of Public Works is also building a centre for people’s economic activities. It aims to increase local economic growth.
The development target is to complete the rehabilitation/ reconstruction of the Wouma Market in Wamena in 2020 with a budget of Rp 2.1 billion and the rehabilitation/reconstruction of 403 shophouses in Wamena after the social conflict with Rp 138.6 billion budget.
The Ministry also conducted an auction to construct the Thumburuni Market in Fakfak, West Papua, in early August 2021.
The government hopes that the equitable distribution of infrastructure development can maintain the smooth flow of logistics transportation, supply chain distribution to Eastern Indonesia, especially Papua and West Papua.
Equitable distribution of infrastructure development is also expected to reduce the price disparity between east and west. Starting this year, the distribution of goods is carried out through rivers to lower the price of goods cheaper.
