Support Accessibility In Papua, ITS And Uncen Design Special Ships For River Transportation

Social Minister Risma held a meeting with ITS. (Between/Humas Ministry of Social RI)

JAKARTA - Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS) Surabaya and Cenderawasih University (Uncen) Jayapura, are finalizing ship designs for river transportation in Papua, especially Mamberamo Raya Regency. This was stated by Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini in a press release in Jayapura, Papua. Minister Risma said that the design of this special ship for river transportation is a response to the aspirations of traditional leaders, religious leaders and Papuan government figures regarding the issue of accessibility which is a strategic need for the people of Bumi Cenderawasih.

"Some time ago I met with Pastor Lipius in Mamberamo Papua. The pastor said that the people there need transportation tools such as boats. So that's why I discussed this with ITS friends," said Social Minister Risma at the ITS Rectorate Building, quoting Antara Wednesday August 11. According to Social Minister Risma, in the meeting, he had in-depth discussions with ITS Vice Chancellor IV Bambang Pramujati and ship design experts, which revealed various challenges faced by the Papuan people, especially accessibility issues. As well as exploring various possibilities, including the support of technology and equipment from experts at ITS. "If the problem of accessibility in Papua can be improved, it will trigger activities, including economic activity. In turn this will improve the welfare of the local community," explained Risma.

He explained that after the discussion, ITS would collaborate with the University of Cenderawasih Papua to realize these expectations. According to him, so far the Papuan people have been adept at making ships, so the collaboration of the two universities has become a momentum to carry out a 'transfer of knowledge and technology'. Thus, it will produce reliable ships, and can become the mainstay of transportation for the Papuan people. he added. He added that his party hopes that the results of the collaboration can be completed in a short time, so that on August 17, 2021 it can be launched. "We want the results of this joint work to be completed soon and ready to be launched on August 17. The ship will later be used to transport more goods," Risma hoped.

Meanwhile, ITS Vice Chancellor IV Bambang Pramujati said his party was ready to collaborate with Cenderawasih University Papua in the manufacture of people's ships. According to him, in the future the boats will be optimized for the transportation of goods, so that the distribution of goods to the public can be faster and more efficient. It will be optimized for freight transportation, so that the distribution of goods needed by the community is fast and efficient," Bambang explained. Even later, not only motorcycles, ITS will also build energy charging stations using solar power technology.