The bridge was renovated on account of its weathered condition that could pose a danger to those passing by, Commander of the 1711/BVD District Military Command Lt Col Daniel Panjaitan remarked.
On account of the poor condition of the wooden bridge, the military command initiated to help rebuild it through a community service, he noted in a statement that ANTARA quoted here, Wednesday.
Panjaitan remarked that regardless of where the Indonesian Military (TNI) personnel were stationed, they were always willing to assist locals in need and help solve their problems.
The TNI continues to uphold its unity with the people and serve them, he added.
A villager named Ribut Aniati expressed gratitude to the soldiers for their community service to provide a new wooden bridge for the people.
Indonesian soldiers in Papua and West Papua are necessitated to multitask, as the government works incessantly to bridge the gap in regional development between them and other provinces.
Hence, the soldiers deployed in these two eastern provinces are mandated to be responsive in seeking solutions to problems and challenges faced by Papuan communities in their daily lives.
The soldiers are required to play the role of problem solvers for the local communities amid their central task to defend the country's territorial integrity and guard the safety of all Indonesians.
Sharing land and sea borders with Papua New Guinea (PNG), Papua and West Papua's geopolitical and geostrategic positions are indubitably important for Indonesia's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Over the past few years, soldiers stationed in these two eastern provinces have been facing security threats posed by armed Papuan criminal groups operating in several districts.
Amid these security-related challenges, the soldiers continue to demonstrate their care for local communities through community services.
Several personnel of the Indonesia-PNG Border Security Task Force, for instance, assist locals through community services, such as voluntary teaching, serving mobile library, and street cleanup programs.
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Translator: Muhsidin, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Sri Haryati
Copyright © ANTARA 2021
