This is a state road. This is not a provincial or district road. The state is responsible for completing it. Our association will write a letter to the central and provincial governments to complete (the construction of) the road soon, so that it wilWamena, Papua (ANTARA) - The association of district heads from the central Papua mountain range will pen a letter to the central government to accelerate the Trans Papua Highway's construction to reduce financial burden on the mountain range's residents.
Construction of the road would help the local people. However, the work had yet to be completed due to the difficult terrain, the association's chief, Ricy Ham Pagawak, stated here on Saturday.
"This is a state road. This is not a provincial or district road. The state is responsible for completing it. Our association will write a letter to the central and provincial governments to complete (the construction of) the road soon, so that it will reduce the prices of basic commodities and products," he remarked.
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Construction of the road has its own pros and cons, with the downside including liquor smuggling conducted along the route, though district heads are determined to thwart the negative aspects.
"Through the road, of course, we will be open to influences. Right now, airplanes are still used for transportation, though their number is limited," he remarked.
The association will also coordinate with former Jayawijaya district head John Wempi Wetipo, who was former chief of the association and currently lives in Jakarta, to help accelerate construction of the highway.
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The Mamberamo Tengah district head stated that the trans Papua highway construction work is carried out annually using the state budget. The vehicles are expected to ply on the road in the not-so-distant future.
"Moreover, the former chief of the association works for the ministry, so it is his responsibility. We will urge him to help accelerate construction of the road," he stated.
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Translator: Marius Frisson Y, Suharto
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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