Resettlers want houses on stilts

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: Around 300 families who are about to be resettled have asked the transmigration authorities that they be provided with houses on stilts because their destinations are swamp areas.

Antara reported yesterday that the residents of Mwapi and Kaugapu villages in East Mimika district, Jayapura, made the request during a meeting with the head of the provincial transmigration office, Sudarmadi, on Monday.

Sudarmadi told the families they are free to build any kind of houses, as long as the costs don't exceed the allocated budget of Rp 1 million (US$425) each.

The official also promised to build a church and other public facilities, saying that the government has allocated Rp 4 billion to develop the new resettlement area. (swe)