Puncak Jaya expenses high

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: The regency of Puncak Jaya may well be one of the most expensive places for development with construction rates set by the government at Rp 1.3 million (US$162.5) per square meter.

Puncak Jaya regency administrator H. Ibo was quoted by Antara as saying yesterday that the outlay was set during a meeting last month between government officials.

He said the high cost for construction was due to the high price of various construction materials, most of which had to be flown in.

He pointed out that the price of a single sack of cement reached Rp 475,000. (mds)