Minister Of Transportation Budi Karya Brings Good News, Ewer Airport In Asmat Regency Will Be Developed More Aesthetically

Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub) is committed to increasing connectivity to and from Asmat Regency, Papua, through infrastructure development, both transportation facilities, and infrastructure.

Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi said that the Ministry of Transportation is currently carrying out a number of construction and development of transportation infrastructure.

"We continue to improve the transportation infrastructure in Asmat as a whole. We know that in Asmat there is Ewer Airport, Agats Port, and other transportation infrastructure. We want to build infrastructure here so that all of Indonesia knows Asmat," said Budi Karya in a press release, quoted by Antara, Monday 27 September.

Budi Karya revealed that the Ministry of Transportation through the Directorate General of Air Transportation has developed Ewer Airport to better meet the aspects of aviation safety and security.

Currently, Ewer Airport already has a runway measuring 1,650 x 30 meters which is capable of landing aircraft of the ATR-72 type. In addition, the airport has an apron of 90 x 70 meters, and a terminal building of 576 square meters.

"We built this airport with a design that carries local wisdom. We make carvings typical of Asmat culture, and a more beautiful terminal interior, which is expected to be a separate power for tourists. Next year we will continue to develop it," said the Minister of Transportation.

In addition to developing airports, the Minister of Transportation explained that his party is also improving connectivity through sea transportation and crossings. He wants the Agats Port in Asmat Regency to be a connecting port for the Sea Toll ship route.

"I have instructed the Director-General of Land Transportation to ensure that Agats Port becomes a liaison for logistics transportation from Surabaya via sea toll ships. Then proceed with smaller ships carrying logistics through rivers to the central region of Papua such as Dekai, Yahukimo, Nduga, and surrounding areas, so that goods can reach our brothers and sisters who are at the top of the mountains," he said.

He hopes that with the delivery of logistics through the river, it can reduce shipping costs. In addition, his party also hopes that in the future these ships can also serve residents along the river.

The Minister of Transportation also appreciated the Regent and Forkompinda ranks in Asmat Regency who have a high fighting spirit to build infrastructure in the Regency, which is located on the southern coast of Papua.

He emphasized that the Ministry of Transportation continues to make maximum efforts in building and developing transportation facilities and infrastructure in Papua, in line with the implementation of Presidential Instruction (Inpres) No. 9 of 2020 concerning the Acceleration of Welfare Development in the Provinces of Papua and West Papua.