Southern Irian developed

Southern Irian developed

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: The focus of transportation development is currently being shifted from the northern to the southern regions in order to open up more isolated areas, a local official said yesterday.

Chief of the provincial office of transportation Martono said that the government would develop major rivers in the southern regions so that isolated areas could be reached by boat.

Southern areas have tremendous agricultural potential that must be developed to improve the welfare of the residents, he said.

He added that the 800 kilometer-long Digul River had great potential to improve the mobility of the local people and promote the area's economic growth.

Currently, there are 10 ferries serving 87 subdistrict towns throughout the sparsely populated Irian Jaya, Antara reported. (pan)