Deputy Home Affairs Minister Ensures Priority Programmes in Papua Run Optimally
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Ribka Haluk affirmed that the development of strategic infrastructure projects in Papua must proceed optimally and on target in order to deliver tangible benefits to communities.
“Infrastructure development must provide real benefits for the people. Roads that are built must be able to open up access, strengthen connectivity, support the agriculture and tourism sectors, and drive the local economy,” Ribka said in a statement in Jakarta on Wednesday.
She made the remarks while accompanying Deputy Minister of Public Works Diana Kusumastuti on an inspection of several strategic infrastructure projects in Jayapura and Keerom regencies, Papua Province, on Tuesday.
The inspection was carried out to ensure that various government priority programmes, ranging from road construction, irrigation, and educational facilities to coastal area protection, are running optimally.
The delegation then continued to the Papua Youth Creative Hub to assess the readiness of facilities projected to become a centre for creativity, innovation, and the empowerment of Papua’s young generation.
From Jayapura Regency, the delegation travelled to Keerom Regency to inspect the development of a Groundwater Irrigation Network (JIAT) in Arso XIV as part of the implementation of Presidential Instruction Number 2 of 2025 on Food Self-Sufficiency.
During a dialogue with farmer groups, the community conveyed a number of aspirations, including the need for agricultural tools and machinery, as well as proposals that farming programmes based on farmer groups be prioritised.
In response, Ribka emphasised the importance of synergy between the central government, regional governments, and communities in supporting national food security.
“The success of the food self-sufficiency programme requires collaboration from all parties. Community aspirations must be part of the planning process so that the programmes implemented genuinely address needs on the ground,” she said.
Still in Keerom Regency, Ribka and the delegation inspected the construction of the Warbo Road, which forms part of the Presidential Instruction on Regional Roads Programme.
Local residents expressed appreciation for the government’s commitment to improving connectivity in Papua, while also expressing hope that the Print Rice Fields (Cetak Sawah) Programme could be realised soon.
Responding to these aspirations, Ribka expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Public Works for continuing to accelerate infrastructure development in the Land of Papua.
She also conveyed her gratitude to President Prabowo Subianto for his commitment to promoting equitable development in Papua.
“On behalf of the Minister of Home Affairs, I express my appreciation to the Ministry of Public Works, which continues to demonstrate its commitment to accelerating infrastructure development in the Land of Papua,” Ribka said.
On that occasion, she also thanked President Prabowo Subianto for his strong commitment and great attention to Papua’s development, starting with the regions most in need, so that the benefits of development can be felt equally by the people.
Closing the series of visits, Ribka and Diana inspected the construction of the Holtekamp beach protective embankment. Based on the inspection, coastal abrasion has approached the road body, making the accelerated construction of the embankment essential to protect strategic infrastructure in the coastal area.
“We will continue to safeguard the implementation of the government’s priority programmes in Papua through close coordination with ministries, agencies, and regional governments, so that the benefits of development are truly felt by the people,” she said.
The working visit formed part of the government’s commitment to continue driving the acceleration of development in the Land of Papua through synergy across ministries, regional governments, and all stakeholders.
The delegation is scheduled to continue its working visit to Merauke Regency, South Papua Province, to inspect several other strategic infrastructure projects.