Jayapura, Jubi – The ratification of Law on Village Administration has prompted an increase in the number of new villages being proposed in West Papua Province, mainly because of provisions allowing each village to get 1 billion rupiah.
“I am worried whether it’s what the people want or it’s only a pretext to get the money,” the head of Provincial Administration Bureau Elisa Sroyer said in Manokwari on Tuesday (4/11).
To get 1 billion, each village must have the Village Mid-Term Development Plan (RPJMK) and Family Income and Expense Budget (APBK). Until now, most of villages in Province West Papua don’t have them yet. Therefore, the Provincial Administration Bureau will immediately conduct an information campaign and carefully review their proposals.
He said the divisions of sub-districts and villages should not be proposed for financial purposes, but should be more focused on the local human resources who will be responsible to manage the budget.
“I just received the Government Regulation. We will learn it first before inform it to the public,” he said. Currently, his office has conducted socialization in Pegunungan Arfak Regency and will continue it to other regencies.
While in Province Papua, the Head of Village Community Empowerment (BPMK) Donatus Motte said the entire villages in Province Papua have not ready yet. “Villages in Papua do not have the RPJMK and APBK yet, though both are a condition to receive the budget,” he said.
At present, the total number of villages in Province Papua is 3,900 villages and the number is still increase. Currently, the Provincial Government in Papua is mapping the area boundaries to fix the issue of villages split. (Angela Flassy/rom)
