Paniai People's Economic Development Receives Support from the Minister of Transportation

Paniai Regency Regent Meki Nawipa stated that the Minister of Transportation (Menhub) Budi Karya Sumadi supports the improvement of land and air connectivity in Paniai Regency and its surroundings.

On the occasion of the virtual audience, Regent Meki Nawipa explained externally, the role of Paniai as a link for the regencies around Paniai and the central mountainous region on the west side and north side to the Cenderawasih Bay area and to the central mountainous area on the east side.

"This is a potential for lake tourism which is at an altitude of more than 1,500 asl. Paniai requires a pier on the Paniai lake, airboats, speedboats and tourist ferries. Likewise, Paniai needs land transportation facilities and infrastructure, both upgrading the type C terminal to type B, and providing buses for internal access to Paniai and across surrounding districts, ”explained Regent Meki Nawipa.

Likewise, Paniai needs improvement in the aspect of air transportation. In this case, Meki Nawipa proposed to the Minister of Transportation that Paniai needed several things, namely, first, adding flight frequencies from Nabire - Enarotali, Timika - Enarotali, and Jayapura - Enarotali.

Second, Paniai requires an extension of the runway or runway at Enarotali airport from 900 meters to 1,600 meters, so that ATR-72 aircraft can land at Enarotali.

During the hearing, Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi supported connectivity for the breakthroughs made by the Paniai Regency Government in developing strategic economic sectors such as Paniai Lake tourism, coffee plantations, horticultural agriculture, and a culture-based creative economy such as Paniai typical noken.

The Minister of Transportation, Budi Karya Sumadi, gave great appreciation for the initiation of the Paniai Regent who encouraged the people's economic development, and the opening of regional isolation through air and land access.

In principle, the Ministry of Transportation supports the extension of the runway or runway at Enarotali airport and the construction of a lake pier, as well as the provision of water buses in 2021.