Jayapura city, heart of Port Numbay (IST)
Jayapura , 22/5 ( Jubi ) – The existence of Port Numbay people, the indigenous residents of Jayapura, is under threat from newcomers, according to a new study by People’s Empowerment Independent Consultation Foundation (Kipra) in Papua.
“The population of Port Numbay population is declining as they migrate out from villages. While outsiders’ population is increasing every year,” said Aston Situmorang, head of the Port Numbay Population 2013 research, on Thursday ( 22/5).
He said data showed in 2012 the number of native Port Numbay was only about 2.45 percent of Jayapura’s 273,928 inhabitants.
“However, based on 2013/2014 data of Population and Civil Registration Agency mentioned that the total of Jayapura city population ranges 491,000 inhabitants and the native is only 1.36 percent ,” Sitomorang added.
“From this percentage explained Port Numbay People in 14 villages are under threat on their own land, ” he said.
Therefore, all stakeholders like the City of Jayapura, Jayapura City Council, Port Numbay Customary Organization , and NGOs as well as the existing tribes need to promote affirmative action, especially in the fields of education , family health and economic improvement.
“There is an urgent need to design local regulations that govern traditional village, replacement sources of livelihood resources that have been used up, and the arrangement of local village context in structuring local wisdom, he explained.
Mayor Jayapura , Benhur Tommy Mano said the local government is making efforts to empower the native people of Jayapura.
“They are not spectators in this development. Let’s protect their livelihoods,” Mano said. ( Jubi / Sindung/ Tina )
