Accelerating connectivity to drive development across Papua

The central government is currently focusing on accelerating development in Papua.

One area of focus is infrastructure development and improvement, which continues to be prioritized by the Coordinating Ministry for Infrastructure and Regional Development.

In this regard, road construction in Papua serves to improve regional connectivity and enable communities to better communicate their needs to the government.

Furthermore, Papua’s development requires special attention, as the region now comprises six provinces and 42 districts and cities, with diverse geographical conditions and development needs.

The central government’s infrastructure development through the Presidential Instruction on Regional Roads (IJD) program in Jayapura District is one such initiative.

The Skory-Puay road section, which connects Kemtuk and East Sentani sub-districts, has been completed by the Jayapura National Road Implementation Agency, allowing local communities to directly benefit from improved connectivity.

The project involves improvements to a 7.7-kilometer road section, with a width of approximately 5.5 meters and a five-centimeter-thick asphalt layer. In addition, 11 bridges along the road have been repaired.

Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) emphasized the importance of building roads connecting several regions in Papua to further develop economic activity through adequate road access, improved mobility, and expanded business opportunities.

According to him, the road construction has brought a significant impact on the mobility of people who have previously faced limited access.

Travel that previously took around 40-45 minutes, and was sometimes only possible by trail bike, can now be completed in just 15 minutes.

"This shows that reducing distances and travel times can significantly assist people in their daily activities, including trade, shopping, farming, and also helping children get to school, among other things,

” the minister stated.

Collaboration between the central and regional governments to accelerate Papua's development, including resolving spatial and land use issues, requires special oversight to prevent overlapping issues that could hinder development, including issues related to customary land.

The central government noted that development may face delays due to regional spatial planning issues, particularly those arising from unclear land status. Close coordination between central and regional governments is therefore needed to identify challenges, collect input, and address development issues in Papua.

Furthermore, accelerated development in Papua must continue to prioritize environmental sustainability. The vast natural resources of Papua must be utilized to the greatest possible benefit for the people's prosperity without resorting to environmentally damaging exploitation.

The Coordinating Ministry for Infrastructure and Regional Development, along with provincial governments throughout Papua, held a meeting at the Papua Governor's Office to accelerate infrastructure development, connectivity, and regional development in Papua.

During the coordination meeting, the central and regional governments agreed on the importance of cross-sectoral consolidation by unifying development targets, data, policies, programs, and budgets.

Budget availability is a major obstacle to realizing large-scale infrastructure projects, such as road construction stretching hundreds, even thousands of kilometers.

Nevertheless, the government is committed to continuing to accelerate infrastructure development in Papua, despite state budget constraints.

Establishing development priorities requires careful consideration, given the broad range of needs across Indonesia, including in Papua's six provinces and 42 districts/cities. Alongside road and bridge infrastructure, the central government is committed to accelerating development in Papua by improving human resource quality.

For the government, improving basic infrastructure such as housing and sanitation is essential to raising living standards in local communities. Education and healthcare are also key priorities for strengthening human resource capacity in Papua. These efforts will be implemented through several strategic measures.

Papua Governor Matius Fakhiri conveyed that regional development is fundamental to optimizing regional resources for development. Therefore, the regional government expects the central government to strengthen support for infrastructure development in Papua.

The development of roads and transportation networks connecting regional centers with remote areas goes beyond infrastructure. It also provides access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.

To accelerate development and reduce regional disparities, the strategic framework focuses on improving connectivity, expanding access to basic services, developing new growth centers, and implementing affirmative and supportive policies.

Service Improvement

Infrastructure development in Papua goes beyond completing projects. It also aims to improve connectivity and expand access to public services, particularly in areas that remain difficult to reach.

Chairman of the Executive Committee for the Acceleration of Special Autonomy Development for Papua, Velix Vernando Wanggai, said that the acceleration of infrastructure development and regional development is a momentum to identify various development obstacles in Papua.

The coordination meeting is considered as part of the central government's efforts to accelerate infrastructure development and overall development of the Papua region in accordance with President Prabowo Subianto's direction.

Dialogue between the central and regional governments is essential to assess development progress and identify issues that have hindered the acceleration of infrastructure development.

Infrastructure development in Papua also requires an approach to accommodate the need for inter-regional connectivity to villages.

This approach is important given Papua’s unique geographical conditions, which differ from those of other regions in Indonesia. Access infrastructure must therefore be developed according to local conditions and community needs.

In this regard, strengthening coordination and communication between the central and regional governments is essential. Coordination between ministries and institutions and regional governments is also crucial to ensure that development aligns with regional needs.

This coordination is needed to formulate a road development strategy for the coming years, including setting development priorities, managing the procurement of goods and services, ensuring land readiness, and clarifying project managers and contractors.

Better coordination will help ensure that infrastructure development is not carried out separately by the central and regional governments, but forms part of an integrated regional development strategy.

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