Jayapura, Jubi – The Central Papua Provincial Government is formulating a range of strategies to increase its locally generated revenue (pendapatan asli daerah or PAD) by leveraging local potential.

Acting Regional Secretary of Central Papua, Dr. Silwanus Sumule, said that strong PAD is not merely about revenue figures, but serves as a strategic instrument to finance development in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and public services for the people of Central Papua.

“In simple terms, if our PAD is strong, we have greater capacity to develop the region according to the needs of our own communities,” Sumule said.

He delivered the remarks on behalf of Central Papua Governor Meki Nawipa during the opening of a workshop on the Roadmap for Increasing Regional Revenue in Nabire, the provincial capital, on Monday (March 30, 2026).

Sumule outlined several key measures to strengthen PAD based on local potential, including regularly updating data on tax and levy potential, and digitalizing collection systems to improve transparency and efficiency.

Other priorities include enhancing the capacity of regional revenue management personnel, increasing public awareness and compliance as taxpayers, and strengthening synergy among government agencies and stakeholders.

According to Sumule, PAD is derived from regional taxes, levies, returns on separated regional assets, and other legitimate sources. It remains a crucial component in financing regional development.

However, he emphasized that increasing PAD can no longer rely on conventional approaches. The provincial government must shift toward a local potential-based strategy by identifying, exploring, and optimizing all available resources in a measurable and sustainable manner.

“In line with the development vision of Central Papua—to realize a prosperous, just, competitive, dignified, harmonious, advanced, and sustainable province—strengthening fiscal capacity is a key foundation to support all priority development programs,” he said.

Sumule added that the provincial government also needs to optimize other revenue sources through improved management of regional assets, strengthening regionally owned enterprises (BUMD), and sustainably developing key economic sectors.

He noted that greater fiscal independence would reduce reliance on transfers from the central government while allowing more flexibility in determining development priorities tailored to local characteristics and needs.

“Through this workshop, we hope to produce a clear, measurable, and implementable roadmap for increasing Central Papua’s PAD going forward,” he said. (*)