Vice President evaluates Raja Ampat Fishermen's Village set to commence operations

Raja Ampat, Southwest Papua (ANTARA) - Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka has expressed appreciation while providing evaluations for the Fishermen’s Village in Raja Ampat Regency, Southwest Papua, which is set to commence operations in May. “This Fishermen’s Village will operate in May. I know, ladies and gentlemen, there are still many shortcomings, many things that need to be evaluated, and assistance that still needs to be increased. But this is already better than before,” said Gibran during his inspection of the Merah Putih Fishermen’s Village in Raja Ampat on Wednesday. During a dialogue with fishermen, Gibran appreciated the facilities already built in the Fishermen’s Village, such as ice factories, cold storage, and other supporting facilities, which he deemed crucial for maintaining the quality of fishermen’s catches. However, the Vice President assessed that many other supporting facilities still need to be added to make it a complete fisheries industry. “So, we want to pilot this first, experiment in this one location; if it runs well, we will add and replicate it in other places,” said Gibran. The former Mayor of Solo also asked the cooperative head to prepare a budget and cost plan as a calculation of the fishermen’s capital needs that will be funded by the government. Gibran also encouraged the development of supporting facilities after the Fishermen’s Village operates, such as the use of solar energy (solar cells) and the construction of fish processing and canning industries to increase the added value of marine products. “Calculate in detail the needs of the cooperative members, then we will help. But don’t use estimates. No approximations; it must be calculated. Later, you meet with the cooperative members, what are the needs, what are the shortcomings,” said Gibran to the cooperative head. The government, according to the Vice President, will continue to monitor the Fishermen’s Village programme through coordination with various parties, including the Executive Committee for the Acceleration of Special Autonomy Development in Papua, so that fishermen’s welfare can improve sustainably. On that occasion, the Vice President also highlighted the importance of support for organising the local market to make it more decent and representative. “I see the market behind where the women are selling; in the future, it might need assistance too, to make it more proper,” he said.