Billions of rupiah needed to repair Nabire Airport

Nethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post, Jayapura, Papua

The aftermath of the tectonic earthquake in Nabire has left Nabire airport here practically crippled.

Around Rp 9.5 billion (US$1.12 million) in funds in needed to rebuild the airport.

"Based on a calculation by the Ministry of Communications, Rp 9.5 billion is needed to restore the airport due to the severe quake damage," Soleman Wario, the head of the Papua province's communications office, told reporters in Jayapura, the capital of Papua.

The most severe damage seen were cracks, 10 centimeters to 30 cm wide, along the whole surface of the runway. The control tower and terminal building were also severely damaged.

Since the quake on Feb. 6 measuring 6.9 on the Richter scale, the airport with its 1,400-meter runway, could only be used by small aircraft like the Twin Otter, Cessna and Cassa that could land on a 600-meter long runway.

Before the quake, the airport could take bigger aircraft such as the Fokker 27.

Funding for the repairs would come from the 2004 state budget, said Soleman.

The Samabusa seaport in Nabire was also damaged, but, the damage was less serious than in the airport, as it could still bring passenger ships to berth, said Soleman.

Separately, an official from the Papua Natural Disaster Coordinating unit, Salahuddin, told The Jakarta Post that material damage due to the quake was still being accounted for, as for the moment the focus was on health services for stricken victims.

Residents suffering from post-quake illnesses, according to Soleman, amounted to 1,384, 78 of whom were treated at Nabire Hospital. The death toll from the quake is 37, another 55 were severely injured and 556 others suffered light injuries.

A 60-member medical team from the Ministry of Health working with the Army and Navy are treating victims infected by malaria, diarrhea and respiratory infections.

"They have built field hospitals and are treating victims suffering from post-quake diseases," he said.

Residents are still living in tents.

"Residents are still reluctant to return home as they are still afraid of aftershocks. Besides, the government has not advised them yet to return to their homes," Salahuddin said.

The aftershocks are forecast to cease on Feb. 18, according to the Geophysics and Meteorology Agency.