Bina Marga - PUPR Minister Basuki Hadimuljono accompanied by Director General of Highways Arie Setiadi Moerwanto reviewed the trans papua road on Friday 16 March (16/03). In the review Basuki Hadimuljono and Arie Setiadi Moerwanto reviewed the Merauke - Boven Digoel road section, which is part of the trans Papua road.

The review begins by crossing the road from Merauke to the boven digoel. The journey is carried out by land and takes a distance of approximately 430 KM. On the way, the Minister of PUPR was accompanied by the Director General of Highways and the Head of the Jayapura XVIII National Road Implementation Office Osman H. Marbun. During the trip, the Minister of PUPR and the Director General of Highways reviewed several points of damaged roads due to heavy rain in the area.

On the way and at several stopping points, Head of the XVIII National Road Implementation Center Osman explained that the soil conditions in the road section were soft land and swampy areas. Therefore, special handling is needed for the construction of the road. Osman said there were some difficulties in the construction of the Merauke - Boven Digoel road. In addition to soil conditions, materials such as rocks and sand are imported directly from Palu, Central Sulawesi. And the price of the material along with the cost of shipping the material is not cheap, "Osman said.

During the trip, most road conditions are relatively good and paved. However, there are around 58 KM roads with mild and moderate damage that are still muddy because they are soft and swampy land. Construction of the Merauke - Boven Digoel road is not easy. Preservation of the Merauke - Boven Digoel road also faces challenges with swamp and soft soil conditions. Therefore the elevation of the road body is carried out using land on the side of the road. This is considered more effective than stockpiling with soil.

"Basuki said that some of the damaged roads must be handled immediately and to speed up repairs, Basuki claimed to be sending a special team from Jakarta".

In April, it must be "full speed", all heavy equipment must be in the field to handle damaged roads in several segments of Merauke - Boven Digoel, "said Basuki.

After arriving at Boven Digoel, Basuki and his entourage held a friendly meeting with the Boven Digoel Regent Benedict Tambusot along with the staff. In his remarks, Basuki appealed to friends at the National Road Implementation Center XVIII to be sincere and dedicated to developing the progress of Papua.

"Whatever is needed by Bouven digul as a border area, we will pay attention," said Basuki.

Boven Regent Digul Benediktus Tambonot who participated in the trip said gradually the condition of the Merauke-Bouven Digul road was getting better. "Praise the Lord, we also thank Mr. President Joko Widodo for building the Trans and Border Roads in Papua. Even though there are still holes, I thank the Minister of Public Works who is swift so that in the next 3-4 months it will be fixed soon, "he explained. (KompuBM)