Papua is rich in natural resources. But it requires better management to optimize profit and benefit. The Provincial Government of Papua reported their newfound potential for income. It is only from their fishing port. From the DKP Papua: Potential Fishing Ports reache IDR 1.2 Billion, and the number could grow higher if the Provincial Government could effectively manage the facilities.
The number is still an estimation from Hamadi Fishing Port in Jayapura City. However, it comes from 16 different sources. The Head of Maritim Affairs and Fishery Department of Papua further explained this calculation. The Provincial Government needs to take serious calculations and follow-up actions to gain the optimum benefits from it.
DKP Papua Breaks Down Potential Income
Iman Djuniawal shared his findings on the potential income from Hamadi Fishing Port. His calculations come from 16 sources. Some of these sources are cold storage, stall rentals, coastal stalls, and several other sources. The fishing port already has all of these facilities. Each one of these has the potential to bring profit to the Regional Government.
He pointed out the income from cold storage. The provincial Government could receive IDR 52 million rupiahs as income. It is only the monthly income and not the annual income. And this is only from one source, while they still have numerous other sources.
The main problem is not the sources of income. There are plenty of facilities and services that could bring profitable income. However, the Provincial Government does not fully optimize these potentials. As the result is a mismanaged fishing port that losing its potential.
According to Imam, the Provincial Government must take full control of the facility. It must not be under the Regional Government. But it could create conflict between the Provincial and Regional Governments.
Not to mention, fishing ports have customary rights holders who are involved in their daily operations. Making one wrong move can bring land ownership problems to the Provincial Government.
Imam Djuniawal suggests the Provincial Government plan a meeting with Regional Government, customary right holders, and all other parties involved. Thorough negotiation with all parties must be conducted accordingly. So each party can get their part of the profit without disturbing the potential income for the facility.
Managing Fishing Port for Better Income
Regarding the facilities in Hamadi Fishing Ports, Imam Djuniawal confirmed that everything is well-managed and ready to use. The fishing port already has piping systems that provide clean water into the facility. It includes the sanitary system and wastewater treatment plan.
The fishing port has a Harbormaster office with clear access to the port. It helps Harbormaster in regulating the flows of incoming and outgoing ships. Other facilities within Hamadi Fishing Ports are enough to support its daily activities.
However, Imam Djuniawal expected the Provincial Government to move the fish market. Currently, the fish market is inside the port area due to limited space. All the activities from ships traffic, and unloading fish from the fishing ships until transactions with fish sellers are in the same area.
He noted that it often causes inefficiency and setbacks for the port activities. Not to mention, the transaction activities often bring more people into the port. It is a little bit difficult to control the situation with a big number of people in the same place at the same time.
Imam added that the fishing port should only use for unloading fish from the fishing ships and fish auctions. These activities already require a large area. Fish transactions are ideally done in a separate area.
With better management, it will not be surprising for DKP Papua: Potential Fishing Ports reach IDR 1.2 billion. It might even reach a higher number.
