Jayapura Regent Matius Awoitau – Jubi
Sentani, Jubi – Jayapura Regent Matius Awoitau said he was unaware of the launch of Doyo Baru traditional market in Waibhu Sub-district, recently inaugurated by the Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Saturday (30/4/2016).
“Though I did not attend the launch, we need to trace the story about this market carefully,” he said to Jubi at his residence on Monday (2/5/2016). He said the market is built in front of the church, consequentially the congregations of church should move to other church.
“It is a serious issue,” he said.
According to him, the opening of the market was out of necessity. The Indonesian Ministry of Trade organized this event for the president. “For Jayapura Regional Government, there’s no problem with it, but as we knew there are no traders in the market yet,” he said.
“The agenda of the President’s visit yesterday focused only to the seaport in Depapre, we didn’t concern to the launching of traditional market because it has not beet handed over to the community by the Local Government. Related to the launching, it could be done by Sub-district or village chief when it was granted,” he added.
Even the merchants who sell in the market have not been reported to the regent. “Before the launching, I have asked it to the relevant office, but the Head of Cooperation and Industry Office said they have not done it,” he said.
The day before the president launched the market, the Head of Jayapura Regional Cooperation and Industry Office through the Division Head of Market Affairs Jimmy Mehue said hundreds of traders who usually sell in front of Jayapura Regional Police Office already occupied the market without being order.
“It is such a good step by traders, because they could voluntarily move to the new location without being order,” said Mehue. (Engel Wally/rom)
