Japanese fund for villages

NABIRE, Irian Jaya: Twenty coastal villages in the Paniai regency, Irian Jaya, will receive a combined Rp 2.5 billion in developmental aid from the Japanese government.

Apart from the foreign aid, the Indonesian government is also contributing over Rp 78 million from its own account.

Antara reported that the funds will be used to build an 80- kilometer road, 40 clean-water installations and three boat docks.

It is hoped that the development of these facilities will help boost the welfare of local residents. (mds)