Under the government of President Joko Widodo, Papua and West Papua have become one of the country’s main development focuses. While years back the Cendrawasih Island was mostly known as underdevelopment provinces with many isolated areas, nowadays, the opposites have been stirred up. Developments in so many factors and public services turn Papua and West Papua into advancing cities. Among many regions in Papua, Asmat, Mappi, and Mamberamo Raya regencies are the districts with rapid infrastructure growth. Here, we’ll discuss about the housing, clean water, roads, and suspension bridges’ improvement in Asmat, Mappi, and Mamberamo Raya regencies.
Ministry Of Public Works and Public Housing’s Four Program
The development of Papua, Asmat, Mappi, and Mamberamo Raya regencies was included in the four programs announced by the Minister of Public Works and Public Housing, Basuki Hadimuljono, in March this year.
According to Basuki, the four programs are needed to support great infrastructure and to answer every challenge faced by Papua and West Papua. The four programs will be implemented accordingly to the mandate of Inpres no. 9, 2020.
The four programs is, first, fair infrastructure development to boost social welfare. The second is affirmative support to increase human resources. The third is a cash labor-intensive program, and the fourth is to fulfil the need for basic facilities with the support of infrastructure by the ministry.
In the fourth program, Basuki explained that the steps cover the development of integrated Cross-Border Posts or Pos Lintas Batas Negara (PLBN) in Skouw, Jayapura, West Papua and Sota in Merauke, the infrastructure development to support the XX National Sports Week (PON) which be held for the first time in Papua, as well as housing, clean water, roads, and suspension bridges’ improvement in Asmat, Mappi, and Mamberamo Raya regencies.
Agats Suspension Bridge
Agats suspension bridge is an overpass with 72 meters length and 1,6 meters width and has been used by locals in Suru village, Agats, Asmat district. As for the concrete road, it has a length of 2,9 kilometers and a width of four square meters. The development of this bridge has been done since 2018 and has been utilized by locals in Agats.
The head of Jayapura XVIII National Road Implementation Center, Osman H Marbun, said that the main purpose of this bridge and also the concrete roads are to give better and easier access for inter-village mobilization as well as an open isolated area that are separated by rivers. The pile slabs chosen to build the concrete roads are swamp areas in the Asmat district.
Agats bridge connects Kaye village and Suru village, Agats. Asmat regent, Elisa Kambu, states that Agats Bridge will be a new icon in the district which is already known as a tourist attraction. Furthermore, this bridge will also connect other facilities such as new hospitals, the Asmat museum, and other places so that the activity of Asmat tribes can be a lot easier and can refine the local economy.
Welfare Development Acceleration in Mappi
Mappi district government policy puts agriculture, fishery, and marine as their leading sector of Mappi’s development. The government sees opportunities and guarantees prospects from the improvement of these factors. With the support from the right system and policy, hopefully, the three sector’s growth can improve the welfare of locals in Mappi.
Overall, the water area and fishing business area in Mappi Regency is very potential for fishing as well as cultivation. The water area in the south part of Papua province (Arafura seas) is a coastal land with muddy soil conditions dominated by mangrove forests, swamp areas, and brackish water. Therefore, many kinds of fish, shrimps and other water biota live here, making it possible to develop fishing and marine business massively and sustainably.
Mappi regency also stores potential marine resources. Based on UU no. 22 of 1999 concerning Regional Government on the management and utilization of natural resources, it is stated that the authority of regional government or cities in the sea areas is as far as 4 miles. According to this law, Mappi regency is 3,107 Km2 with 5 small uninhabited islands with a coastline length of 300 kilometers.
Improvement in Mamberamo Raya Regency
Mamberamo Raya district in West Papua is known for its conservation area and exotic natural views. The capital city of this regency is Burmeso village. Mamberano Raya village is the expansion of Sarmi regency and Waropen regency, according to UU No. 19, 2007 established on March 15, 2007.
Teba port, which lies in the Mamberamo River estuary, is an important economic part of people who live there. Every time a ship docks, the Teba market in downstream Mamberamo District is always crowded from morning until night. However, there are still many road access that still needs upgrade especially for river transportation.
People in the Mamberamo Raya regency face a hard time when crossing certain spots in the Mamberamo River. Therefore, better and modern transportation and infrastructure are dreamed by locals here so that they will have a better access to their needs.
Even known as a conservation area, Head of the Papua Natural Resources Conservation Agency, Edward Sembiring, S.Hut., M.Sc. insisted that the development in Mamberamo Raya will still be implemented even through a long process.
Papua and West Papua have so many natural resources, from marine prosperity to captivating panorama. Hopefully, with the government plan to accelerate Papua dan West Papua development, and improvement in Asmat, Mappi, and Mamberamo Raya regencies in particular, will create better welfare and economy for Papuan people.
