Poor public service protested in Papua

JAYAPURA, Papua: Hundreds of residents of Skanto district in Kerom regency staged a protest on Monday in front of the Papua Provincial Council, demanding the councillors and the government improve public services.

The residents complained about the poor electricity services in Kerom regency and the poor condition of the road connecting Kerom regency and Jayapura town.

The protesters arrived in five trucks and several minibuses, bearing pamphlets and banners reading "the government discriminates (against) Skanto district residents".

Protest coordinator Wahid complained that the poor condition of the road restricted farmers from transporting their produce to Jayapura to sell.

Councillor David Patty told protesters that the provincial council would immediately summon Papua Provincial Public Works Agency and state electricity company PT PLN over the complaints. -- Antara