Manokwari, Jubi – The central government, the West Papua Provincial Government, and the Teluk Bintuni Regency Government have been urged to immediately repair severely damaged roads and bridges in Teluk Bintuni Regency.

The call was made by Eduard Orocomna, a member of the West Papua People’s Assembly (MRP) representing Teluk Bintuni.

Orocomna said he was concerned about the condition of roads and bridges in the regency, noting that Teluk Bintuni is one of the largest contributors to regional revenue in West Papua through the natural gas sector.

According to him, roads and bridges connecting the capital of Teluk Bintuni Regency to West Moskona District and South Moskona District have been severely damaged for years.

“Even four-wheel-drive vehicles struggle to pass through this route. Public transport vehicles often queue for hours until late at night. Motorcycles can still pass through potholes resembling pig wallows or over decaying wooden bridges, but with the risk of collapsing,” Orocomna said on Friday (15/5/2026).

The member of the Indigenous Working Group of the West Papua MRP also said the road authority in West Papua Province must pay greater attention to infrastructure conditions in the area.

He noted that roads in Teluk Bintuni connect Manokwari with Tambrauw, Sorong, Moskona, Maybrat, and Kumurkek in Southwest Papua.

“They are not truly paying attention to the road conditions. Right now, damaged roads are left unattended, bridges are broken, and landslides are occurring. Authorities should move quickly to inspect and repair damaged roads and collapsed bridges so people can travel safely and the government can access provincial and regency roads,” he said.

Besides the heavily damaged roads and bridges between West Moskona and South Moskona districts, Orocomna said road conditions are even worse in Merdey District, Teluk Bintuni Regency.

He also urged the government to involve Indigenous Papuan contractors and local workers in road and bridge improvement projects in remote areas of Teluk Bintuni.

“Every project in these areas seems to exclude local contractors or workers, which often triggers reactions from civil groups in Bintuni,” he said.

Orocomna said he had previously conveyed the issue of involving local communities and contractors to the Teluk Bintuni Public Works and Public Housing Agency (PUPR), but found the agency’s response unsatisfactory.

“We already explained that local communities have companies with complete legal documents, but the agency responded by saying companies with CV status could not participate because these projects are only for PT companies,” he said.

He also criticized the local government for only allocating small-scale projects worth around Rp100 million to local residents.

According to Orocomna, the regional government must involve local communities in development projects as a form of empowerment and to ensure they experience a sense of justice. (*)