President Jokowi admitted it takes time to turn Depapre Seaport into such a hub. But now upgrading work has started – Jubi/Engel Wally
Jayapura, Jubi – President Joko Widodo said he wanted Depapre Container Port and Sorong Seaport to be hubs for export and import activities in Papua.
“Therefore Papua and Papua Barat should not rely on other seaports outside of Papuato run their industrial export-import activities,” he said at Depapre Seaport, Jayapura on Saturday (30/4/2016).
However, he admitted it takes time to turn Depapre Seaport into such a hub. But now upgrading work has started.
According to Jayapura Regent Matius Awoitau it wasn’t only for goods loading and unloading but also to cover other activities at the seaport which supported by some investors who have invested in the industrial sector.
“Our target in 2013 this seaport will ready be the main seaport to replace the seaport in Jayapura. And some investors would run their activities in the industrial sector in the seaport,” he added.
The activities running by investors are including the timber industry, cement and other industries.
“During the time, loading activities were running at Jayapura Seaport, and after loading the industrial products from outside of Papua was done, the containers would return empty while the price of empty container is equal with the price of local goods here. Therefore, the industrial activities are needed in the seaport so the containers would not return empty,” he said.
He also expected this biggest seaport in Papua could improve the resources of income for the local community at the coastal area of Tanah Merah and Jayapura.
“Some fields of job would certainly open, because this seaport would not only serve Jayapura Regency, but also a number of regencies in Papua that could used it as a place of suppliers or good exchange. It is our opportunity to improve the economic sector,” he said.
Meanwhile, at the same place, President Joko Widodo told reporters that the construction of Depapre Seaport would be financed through Provincial and Regional Budget and National Budget as well.
“This seaport would be built by the Indonesian State Owned Enterprise as well as the existing Regional State Owned Enterprise, thus we expect in the future all sea networks could be connected through this seaport. We have seen the infrastructure of road. It is ongoing process by the local government, and it should not be longer to be used,” said Widodo. (Engel Wally/rom)
