50% of development funds do not reach Irian Jaya
50% of development funds do not reach Irian Jaya
JAKARTA (JP): Irian Jaya tribal chiefs are outraged because
only 50 percent of the government's poverty alleviation funds
have reached them.
In a meeting hosted by representatives of the United Nations
Education, Science and Cultural Organizations (Unesco) and the
United Nations Development Program (UNDP), a group of 27 tribal
chiefs from the Baliem valley in Jayawijaya regency appealed for
help so that the funds reached the rightful parties directly.
"Only 50 percent of the funds reached the poor villages in
Irian Jaya," said spokesman Justinus Dabi.
He said he was also puzzled because the planned financial aid
from the mining company PT Freeport Indonesia in Tembagapura
never reached the Dayu tribe.
Justinus, also speaking for the chief of Bedu tribe Mobokma
Mabel who knew only the native Ndani dialect, asked for aid from
the government and foreign organizations to improve the people's
welfare.
He said their visit to UN bodies in Jakarta was not political
in nature. "This is an appeal to seek assistance for the people
of Baliem valley," he said.
Wamena district head Mecky Korwa said development funds were
available for Baliem valley, which has been expanded from 12 to
26 districts since April 1.
Mecky said the funds, worth Rp 30 million, are distributed to
each village for community projects through Bank Rakyat Indonesia
on a rotational basis.
"The difficulties of receiving such funds were caused by
administrative matters," he said.
He said that, for educational projects, Wamena maintains five
senior high schools in the area with boarding facilities for
students.
But he said supplementary meals for elementary school children
remain unevenly distributed. "It's improving, though, and the
students also receive school uniforms," he said.
The meeting was attended by Stephen Hill of Unesco and Ravi
Rajan of UNDP. It aimed to discuss ways of improving development
in Baliem valley.
The tribal chiefs, who wore traditional accessories during the
meeting, discussed developing sectors such as education and
agriculture with the local government, Unesco, UNDP and the
Lembah Baliem Foundation.
Current development projects in Baliem valley include
carpentry and wood carving, rattan furniture, honey
manufacturing, pig breeding and flower cultivation.
Stephen Hill said that poor access to education for young
people in Irian Jaya was due to their economic circumstances,
dispersed populations and geographical distances.
Hill said that boarding schools in specific areas would help
the students support their educational goals more consistently.
The chiefs will stay in Jakarta until May 6, during which time
they will meet with several officials including the Minister of
Education and Culture Wardiman Djojonegoro, the Minister of
Social Services Inten Suweno and the Coordinating Minister of
People's Welfare Azwar Anas. (01)