Dozens of residents blocked the street around the three-way junction Hom-Hom/Pattimura, Wamena, Jayawijaya Regency – Jubi
Wamena, Jubi – Dozens of residents blocked the street around the three-way junction Hom-Hom/Pattimura, Wamena, Jayawijaya Regency, to protest against the shortages and high prices of basic commodities in this area.
They used their motorcycles to block the road.
“Currently it’s hard to get the products, moreover the prices are so expensive. No matter is it fuel or cement or drinking water or even such a thing like candy,” a resident Entanus Itlay who joint in the rally told in front of the Jayapura Police Chief Semmy Ronny Thabaa on Wednesday (21/10/2015).
The residents run a rally because they are tense against the price rising and the shortages of daily basic commodities from the last month. The price of some commodities such as fuel (diesel, gasoline and kerosene), rice, instant noodle, bottled water, cement and other construction materials has increased and out of stock. In some retailers, the stocks are running out and the prices are gradually increased. For example, the price of cement has increased between RP 600 thousand to 900 thousand per sack, and the fuel, the price is between Rp 50 thousand to 100 thousand per litter, while the supplies of diesel and kerosene is very limited.
The Papua Police Chief Ronny Thabaa said in front of the crowd that the Police have seriously tackled the issue of the shortages of fuel. “The Police had commitment to crack those who hoard the fuel supplies. However, there is also an obstacle such as the limited flight. So I hope people could understand it,” said Thabaa. After getting explanation from the Police Chief, people were finally spread out and return to their activities.
The Head of Jayawijaya Industry, Trade and Cooperation Office, Semuel Munua, ensured to monitor the distribution and delivery of goods from Jayapura to Jayawijaya Regency and to stabilize the prices for couple next days. However, he said the price could not be reduced at once but gradually.
“If the flight schedule is back to normal and the supplies are ready in the market, the price will certainly normal as usual,” said Munua.
“I ask the traders for not taking benefit on this situation and raise the price too high,” he said.
According to him, the increasing of price in Jayawijaya Regency is related to the problem of air transportation. But now the cargo flight has already operated normally as usual.
“Not all is back to normal, but at least nine aircrafts such as Trigana, Jayawijaya Dirgantara, Cardig Air, Deraya have started their flight. Even, the Provincial Government is ready to support the shortages of supplies in Jayawijaya. I hope they still can help us,” he said. (Islami/rom)
