REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAYAPURA -- Construction of a ring road in Papua is expected to be completed before the end of the term of office of Governor Lukas Enembe.
The ring road will go through Wamena-Tolikara-Mulia, Wamena-Tiom-Ilaga, Wamena-Habema-Batas Batu, Jayapura-Wamena, Mimika-Wagete, Ilaga-Wagete and Oksibil-Waropko.
"The ring road would open access to isolated communities which so far could be reached only with air transport," Lukas said.
The road facility will also contribute to the economic development of isolated communities, he added.
The prices of essential goods in many isolated areas in Papua such as oil fuel and cement are much higher because of difficulty in distribution in the country's most backward region.
The governor said the ring road would contribute to program of improving social service in the heartland of the province, farm from modernity.
The government has set aside Rp638.75 billion for the construction of the road including bridges starting this year, he said.
The project will include construction of 89.3 kilometers of new roads, betterment of 28.8 kilometers of old roads, and 272 meters of bridges.
The isolated people need not only roads and bridges but also decent housing and clean water, he added.
Papua ans West Papua are high in the agenda of economic development of the government of Joko Widodo.
The regions is rich in natural resources, but has been lagging far behind in economic development.
US mining giant Freeport McMoRan Copper & Gold operates the country's largest copper and gold mines and British oil giant BP PLC operate the Tangguh liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant and gas field in Papua.
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