VP-elect off to early start on eastern RI job

Markus Makur, The Jakarta Post, Timika | Tue, 09/29/2009 1:14 PM

Vice-president-elect Boediono, on a whirlwind tour of the often-overlooked eastern part of the country, is looking to explore new development models in the infrastructure sector there.

The former central bank governor spent a few days in Ambon, Maluku, to see infrastructure development projects underway there.

He then flew to Papua to assess development projects being carried out by the provincial administration there and to be further studied, analyzed and implemented in the future.

On Monday, Boediono transited at Moses Kilangin Airport in Timika to observe airport facilities and meet with regency administration officials.

He was met by Papua Governor Barnabas Suebu, Mimika Deputy Regent Abdul Muis, local high-ranking officials, legislators and top police and military brass.

After jetting in from Ambon, Boediono and his entourage were given a tour of facilities at the airport before meeting with the local officials.

Deputy Regent Muis complained to Boediono of the airport's shortage of aviation fuel provided by PT Freeport Indonesia, meaning only planes operated by Garuda, Merpati and Freeport could serve the airport.

"The airport faces supply shortages of aviation fuel, so flights to Timika are very scarce," he said.

He added the administration planned to build a waiting hall at the airport, as well as other infrastructure development plans, for which it sought government funding.

"The Mimika administration hopes the central government will promptly respond to the problems we face," he said.

Security for the Papua leg of Boediono's journey is provided by the Indonesian Military (TNI) and National Police, with 300 personnel from the Sorong Military Command on alert around the airport.

Command chief Col. Fransen Siahaan said Boediono would pay a two-day visit to Wamena regency in the central mountainous region.

Boediono will also visit Boven Digul and Merauke regencies, before returning to Timika on his way back to Jakarta.

Siahaan said Boediono's visit to Papua was mainly to evaluate development, especially in the transportation sector.

The Transportation Ministry's director general for air transportation, Herry Bekti, and several experts from the field are part of the vice-president-elect's entourage.

Puncak Jaya Regent Lukas Enembe said Boediono's visit to Papua, particularly to the central mountainous region, was an important moment for him to observe several development projects.

"*Boediono* transited in Timika because Timika will serve as the major access point to the central mountainous region in the future," Lukas said.

"A port will also be built in Timika to connect a number of areas in that region."

Bridges are planned for construction in Juguru and Apema villages, as part of the 140-kilometer highway to Wamena.

The planned 500-kilometer road from Jayapura to Wamena, proposed in 1980, has yet to see the light of day, while the road from Wamena to Apema village has already been built.

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