Jayapura (ANTARA) - The Papua government is expecting the draft provincial regulation on oil and gas to increase regional original revenue (PAD) and the welfare of local communities, a government policy analyst has said.

The Papua provincial government and Cenderawasih University's Center for Natural Resources and Energy Studies have been discussing the draft regulation, policy analyst for economics and finance, Anni Rumbiak, informed here on Tuesday.

"The draft provincial regulation on oil and gas can strengthen the management of natural resources," she said.

According to her, the regulation will help ensure that the community is protected by law while utilizing natural resources, which could help increase PAD.

"It is very important to issue a provincial regulation to strengthen the implementation of existing laws and regulations," she said.

She further said she is sure that the regulation on oil and gas will improve the local economy and welfare, including the regional government's revenue.

Meanwhile, head of the team for preparing the academic manuscript for the regulation, Hotlan Samosir, said that the Papua provincial government should have legal products that can protect the interests of oil and gas implementation.

A regulation on oil and gas can support on-target implementation and management, he added.

"So, academically, I think it is a good step for the Papua provincial government to have a legal product that can protect the interests of oil and gas operators," he said.

He pointed out that there are still issues related to the distribution of oil and gas.

"Because Papua has potential, upstream and downstream (sectors) need attention. In the academic text, we convey things that encourage the provincial regulation to be issued immediately," he said.

Earlier on Monday (August 28, 2023), Papua's Energy and Mineral Resources Office held a focus group discussion on the regulation's preparation.

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Translator: Qadri P, Kenzu
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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