A banner announcing a plan to build a hotel in the midst of a market development project for Papuan women traders have been questioned by the traders – Jubi
Jayapura, Jubi – A banner announcing a plan to build a hotel in the midst of a market development project for Papuan women traders have been questioned by the traders.
“We don’t know about the hotel. Please ask those who want to build this market,” said Mrs. Yuliana Pigay when being asked about the hotel. Mrs. Pigay who during the time was struggling to materialize the market for women traders said she only recognized the market-building plan, because it is only the thing they fought for under the assistance of Solpap.
The hotel development project, according to the Secretary of the Solidarity for Indigenous Papuan Traders (Solpap) Robert Jitmau suddenly appeared when President Joko Widodo laid the first stone to mark the market development.
“The president also did not mention about the hotel in his speech. Throughout our struggle for the market, we never talk about a hotel. Better ask Presidential Staff Office or Indonesian State Owned Enterprise (BUMN) Ministry who are responsible for hotel development,” said Jitmau.
Deputy V of President Staff Office Jaleswari Pramowardhani when asked about the hotel on Saturday (30/4/2016) said she already asked BUMN Minister Rini Soewandi. According to Jaleswari, the minister explained about the regulation on the State’s asset that require the BUMN Ministry to build a hotel at the same location with the market for women traders. “Hotel would be set on location opposite to Jayapura Municipal Police Office,” said Jaleswari.
Disappointment Remains
Amid the excitement of Papuan women traders after Jokowi laid the first stone of market building on Saturday (30/4/2016) there remains disappointment among them.
“We are happy because DAMRI (State-run Bus Company) office was finally paved down. We came to DAMRI several times but they said they don’t know either. So, when it was paved down, we are very happy. Moreover the president himself came to pave the first stone. But we also disappointed because we couldn’t talk to him directly to thank him,” said Mrs. Dolfince, one of hundreds Papuan women traders who sell in the temporary market for Papuan women traders. Mrs. Dolfince said they only want to thank to the president directly.
“We have prepared our speech for it, but it didn’t realized. Well, fine, the important thing is Damri has been paved down,” said Mrs. Dolfince.
Apparently, to welcome the President Widodo, Papuan women traders have practiced dancing for four nights. They did it after working, from 10 to midnight since 26 April. But their hope couldn’t be realized. The dancing had never been shown.
“The dance was an expression of our gratitude to the president. We practiced every night after working. We disappointed because we cannot show the dance to the president. But fine, perhaps we can show it later at the market launching,” said Mrs. Pigay. (Victor Mambor/rom)
