The Wondama Bay government, via its Transportation Service, established the operation of three passenger ships to facilitate the coastal communities. The Wondama Bay regent, Hendrik Mambor, stated that these ships are their solution due to the need for facilities and infrastructure for inter-island transportation.
Thus, it will not only help the residents to be able to reach into the city for economic activity but also their products. This way, the economic activity within the region will run well to help improve the local’s welfare.
Moreover, better transportation is highly advantageous due to its potential to increase regional tourism.
The Papuan Traditional Council (Dewan Adat Papua /DAP) welcomes the policy on establishing the ships because it brings solutions to the coastal communities. Thus, they now have access to transportation for their activities and productions.
Head of Wondama DAP, Fredi Jhon Marani, said that the operation of those ships is a huge benefit for coastal communities and the manifestation of the local government’s care for its people.
KMP Aitumeiri for Coastal Communities Service
The local government established the ship’s operation in Teluk Wondama Wasior. The ships consist of two types: a water bus and two RORO ships. They named the ships KMP Aitumeiri I, KMP Aitumeiri II, and KMP Aitumeiri III due to the legendary Bukit Aitumeiri in the Wondama region.
The water bus can accommodate approximately 25 passengers using a 600-PK hanging machine, while the RORO ships can accommodate 40 passengers and 10 motorcycles. The RORO ships are equipped with the latest navigation technology, perfect for matching Teluk Wondama characteristics.
The Teluk Wondama government has to prepare about Rp. 18 billion to bring the ships to their region. The funds for making the three KMP Aitumeiri is from their APBD and 2022’s Special Allocation Funds.
The Manufacturing of KMP Aitumeiri
KMP Aitumeiri ships are manufactured by PT DAK (PT. Dok and Perkapalan Air Kantung) in Bangka Belitung, Sumatra Island, Indonesia. PT DAK, which works under PT. Timah, Tbk produces vessels for its holding company and diverse ships.
They can produce the ships for Wondama Bay Transportation Service because they won the open auction. PT DAK did the Keel Laying at the beginning of the ship construction in July 2022 in Jl. Kartini Utama Selindung, Kota Pangkalpinang.
They not only can finish the construction on time but also manage to improve its quality. The construction took seven months, so they must send the ships to the Wondama Bay government by January 2023.
The Benefits and Impacts of KMP Aitumeiri on The Surrounding Community
KMP Aitumeiri brings many good impacts to people in Wondama Bay due to the new access for inter-island transportation. Thus, people can easily travel and commute to the adjacent region to do their economic or social activities.
Here are some of the benefits of KMP Aitumeiri for people in the Wondama Bay region:
- Serving inter-island public transportation to facilitate the communities to do their activities
- Becomes a great means of inter-island connectivity
- Help increase economy growth because there is no more problem in delivery and transportation
- Help boost tourism in the region due to the many potential tourist destinations within the Wandama Bay region
Conclusion
The Wandama Bay government has made an incredible policy by bringing three ships into their region to solve the transportation problem. Thus, the people should be grateful because they can now easily commute inter-island doing their social and economic activities.
The presence of three KMP Aitumeiri is good for transportation, economic growth, and tourism. This will open wider access for tourists to visit places like Windesi, Roon Island, or Masoponi Waters in the Wondama Bay region.
Hopefully, the Wondama Bay government can achieve the goal of improving the region’s welfare.
