Tribe donates land for resettlement

FAKFAK, Irian Jaya: People in the West Mimika district have donated 90,000 hectares of tribal land to the Fakfak regency for a new resettlement site, a local transmigration official has said.

Nafruil Hutapea, the head of the Transmigration Department at the Fakfak administration, told Antara Monday that there was a greater understanding among the people of the importance of transmigration in boosting development in their area.

The flat topography and fresh air make the area suitable for growing rice, corn, tubers, and other plants, Nafruil said.

Fakfak has accepted 4,500 families, or 13,500 people, since the regency joined the government's resettlement program. Settlers are spread over 14 sites: six in Bomberai, Kokas districts, and eight in West Mimika.

Fakfak Regent Suparlan Pasambuan said a 154-km road linking Fakfak and Bomberai is currently under construction and would be completed by the end of next year. When completed, the road will facilitate the flow of agricultural goods between the two towns. (10)