Government Builds Water and Road Infrastructure in Wanam South Papua, Intip Progressnya

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Public Works (PU) continues to accelerate the development of water resources infrastructure and connectivity in the National Food, Energy and Water Self-sufficiency Area (KSPEAN) in Wanam, Merauke Regency, South Papua.

Road and water resources development are now the foundation for driving the local economy and improving people's welfare.

Minister PU Dody Hanggodo emphasized that development in Wanam is not only measured by the length of the road or the size of the land.

More than that, the infrastructure built is a state investment to open access, create jobs and grow the independence of the Papuan people.

"In Wanam we are not just building roads and water channels. We are opening a new path of life for the community. There are mothers who want their rice to grow from their own village, there are children who want to go to school more comfortably and there are residents who want to have jobs from their own land. That's what we have to take care of," said Dody as quoted from a written statement, Tuesday, July 7.

According to Dody, water resources infrastructure and connectivity are the key to transforming swampy land that has not been productive into an economically valuable agricultural area.

"If there is water, the land can live. If the road is open, the harvest can come out. If the community works and the economy moves, this development is not only visible on the map, but it is felt to the homes of the residents. For me, that's where the real meaning of infrastructure is," he said.

To support the area, the government is building water resources infrastructure in the form of a primary irrigation network, water gate buildings, primary and secondary drainage, and flood control. The goal is to ensure the availability of water for agricultural land.

In terms of connectivity, the PU Ministry has also built three strategic road corridors. Among others, the Wanam-Muting Road along 138.5 kilometers, the Merauke-Kaliki-Nakias-Bade corridor along 206.2 kilometers and the Wogikel-Wanam corridor along 11.93 kilometers.

The construction of the road is expected to facilitate community mobility, accelerate the distribution of agricultural products, reduce logistics costs, and increase residents' access to schools, health services, markets, and economic activity centers.

Until the beginning of July 2026, the progress of the development of water resources infrastructure has reached 27.36 percent, while the development of roads and connectivity has reached 22 percent. All work is being prepared to support agricultural activities as well as encourage the growth of new economic centers in South Papua.

Head of the Merauke Papua River Basin Office Nonce Saman said that infrastructure development in Wanam would also be accompanied.

"We are not only completing construction work, we will also accompany the community, teach how to manage irrigation water and farm together. Hopefully, people here can become independent farmers, their economy will increase," he said.

The head of Wanam Village, Kosmas Sirilus Dawi Gaise, felt a change in people's way of thinking. From relying on hunting and fishing, agriculture is now beginning to become a new livelihood choice.

"Before, we still thought about hunting and fishing. Now people are starting to open their minds. We see that this farming can be a job, the results can be eaten by ourselves and can also be sold. We want this village to change for the better," he said.

Meanwhile, one of the residents of Wogikel Village, Mamak Ema, also hopes that the construction of the road continues to be continued so that children are easier to go to school.

"Our hope is that the road in the village can be paved. If it rains, the road is muddy, children sometimes can't go to school because they fall on the road," he explained.

The development of KSPEAN in Wanam is part of the government's efforts to build an integrated food ecosystem through the provision of water resources infrastructure, connectivity and other basic infrastructure.

Thus, the community can feel the direct impact such as open road access, the creation of new jobs to make the local area a developed area. [ADV]