Gov’t to Resolve Drought Disaster in Central Papua

Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy, Minister of Agriculture Syahrul Yasin Limpo, and Presidential Special Staff Arif Budimanta at the press statement, Thursday (08/10). (Photo by: PR/Agung)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo Thursday (10/08) at the Merdeka Palace chaired a limited cabinet meeting to discuss drought disaster response in Central Papua province, particularly in three districts in Puncak Jaya regency.

“In Agandugume, Lambewi, and Oneri districts, to be specific,” Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy said in a press statement after attending the meeting.

According to Muhadjir, the President ordered related ministers to build food estates in Agandugume and Sinak as the short-term solution since the staple food shipping to Agandugame has always been hampered by weather and geographical location, which is at an altitude of 9,000 feet.

In addition, as the medium-term solution, the Government will soon extend the runway at Sinak Airport so that wider aircraft, such as Hercules, can land. “We can transport food and materials for infrastructure development if Hercules aircraft can land in Sinak,” the Minister said.

The current road infrastructure from Sinak to Agandugume, Muhadjir continued, is inadequate and making it difficult for aid distribution. Therefore, the Government will also build a road connecting the two districts as the long-term solution.

“President Jokowi ordered to construct a route through Jayapura-Wamena. From Wamena to Sinak, the route will pass through several districts, including the administrative center district of Puncak Jaya regency, namely Mulia district, all the way to Sinak. We will also build the Sinak-Agandugume land route,” the Minister said.

Muhadjir further said that the President ordered Minister of Public Works and Public Housing to handle road infrastructure development and Minister of Transportation to handle the revitalization of Sinak Airport.

In addition, Muhadjir said that the Government in the long run will also promote food security in Central Papua, including through the application of appropriate technology since the weather in the area causes staple foods to rot.

“We hope that the people can stock their staple foods if we implement appropriate technology, so that the people can establish food security in the future,” the Minister remarked. (TGH/UN) (GWH/MUR)