Indonesia developing more seaports, airports to boost inter-island links

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Map of West Papua, Indonesia

Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) inaugurated Wasior seaport in Wondama Bay District in West Papua Province recently, the port being part of the sea toll route expansion project in the eastern region of the country.

“Seaports and airports are being built in the outermost regions of Indonesia as we want to unite all provinces and districts in our country,” Jokowi said in a report by Antara News.

Wasior Port is part of the government’s sea route expansion program launched in November, 2015 to connect Tanjung Priok in Jakarta and Tanjung Perak in Surabaya, East Java, to other major ports in Indonesia’s eastern provinces.

Earlier, Trade Minister Thomas Lembong said the sea route program has succeeded in cutting prices in Papua four months after its launch.

Jokowi has previously ordered his Cabinet to create an efficient shipping route, increase the number and variety of freight services, and deregulate the ports as part of an ambitious drive to turn the Southeast Asian economy into a world-class maritime hub.

The plan includes the opening of new sea routes to boost inter-island connectivity in the country. Since last year, the government has started three sea toll routes, which are served regularly and routinely by ships.

Noting that Indonesia is an archipelagic nation of more than 17,000 islands, Jokowi said inter-island connectivity is crucial in uniting the country.

Besides Wasior seaport, the President also recently inaugurated the seaports of Tobelo, Galela, Tutu Kembong, Wonreli, and Teor Isle in east Indonesia.

New airport projects

At the same time, the president approved the relocation of Margono airport, also located in Wondama Bay District, to a bigger site to allow for the extension of the runway in order to accommodate larger aircraft.

“It is now the task of the transportation minister, West Papua governor, and Wasior district head to find a spacious area to relocate the airport,” the president said, adding that the relocation of the airport can be done starting next year.

Also slated for expansion and upgrade is Rokot airport on the island of Mentawai off West Sumatra.

West Sumatra Vice Governor Nasrul Abit said Rokot airport, which has been in operation since 1980, is being expanded and modernized to accommodate wide-bodied aircraft.

The undertaking is important for tourism development in the Mentawai island district, Nasrul said.

“Construction is expected to be finished in 2018 and it would be operational in 2019,” he said.

Currently the project is still at the stage of land clearing and analyzing the environmental impact of the endeavor, he said.

Regent of Mentawai islands Yudas Sabaggalet said the district administration is also building roads on four major islands of Mentawai, namely, Siberut, Sipora, Pagai Utara, and Pagai Selatan.

In addition, power-generating plants are being developed in Mentawai, and internet service facilities are being established in cooperation with state telecommunication company PT Telkom.

“All the facilities are expected to bring greater modernity to the islands and improve the welfare of the people,” Yudas said.

Photo: Public Domain