Synergy is the key to improving the quality of services offered to the public in Papua."Wamena, Papua (ANTARA News) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) dedicated the new passenger terminals at Wamena and Kaimana airports in Papua on Wednesday.
"The geographical conditions are challenging that must be responded quickly to accelerate infrastructure development (in the region), including roads, bridges, and airports as well as the means of transportation, especially air transportation," President Jokowi stated during the ceremony attended by Transportation Minister Ignasius Jonan and Minister of Public Works Basuki Hadimoeljono.
President Jokowi, First Lady Iriana Widodo, and their entourage arrived in Wamena on Wednesday afternoon. The inauguration of the Wamena and Kaimana airports in Wamena, which the villagers in Papua had long awaited, especially people living in the hilly areas, continued despite a shooting incident at the Sinak police precinct in the district several days ago.
Jokowi noted that the geographical conditions in the region must not become obstacles in carrying out development in Kaimana and Wamena.
According to President Jokowi, the new terminal at the Wamena airport is better than those in Java.
He affirmed that airports and seaports are needed to support connectivity between districts, provinces, and islands.
"In view of this, during the next five years, we will focus on infrastructure development to ease transportation of passengers and goods," Jokowi remarked.
"Difficulties faced in carrying out infrastructure development in Papua must not pose a hindrance since if it is always used as a pretext, then no infrastructure development will ever be carried out in the province. I believe every problem has a solution, including in the efforts to develop Papua," he said.
President Jokowi stated that the Wamena and Kaimana airports are strategically located as they are gateways connecting Papuas central hilly regions to the other parts of Indonesia.
At present, Wamena airport has a terminal capable of accommodating 282 passengers and a 2,175-meter-long runway. It will be the second busiest airport in Papua.
President Jokowi has urged the Ministry of Transportation and regional governments to work in tandem to improve services.
"Synergy is the key to improving the quality of services offered to the public in Papua," he affirmed.
He noted that Papuans had long awaited the availability of better public services.
On the occasion, President Jokowi not only called for better services but also urged to pay attention to the condition of aircraft operating in the region.
"There must not be any compromise with regard to the safety of passengers and flights, especially as the region has a hilly terrain," he added.
(Reporting by Agus Salim/Uu.H-YH/INE/KR-BSR/A014)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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