Manokwari, Jubi – The Papua Special Autonomy Development Acceleration Board (BP3OKP) has received complaints from residents regarding alleged contamination of well water and air pollution linked to the Free Nutritious Meal Program (Makan Bergizi Gratis / MBG) kitchen, Ash Sidiq Prafi Mulya, located on Jalan Gunung Salju, Amban, Manokwari.

Residents reported that wastewater from the kitchen’s treatment system (IPAL), located too close to community wells, has polluted their water supply. In addition, heat emitted from the kitchen’s roofing has disrupted nearby boarding houses, forcing tenants to move out and causing financial losses for property owners.

Ismail Sirfefa from the Politics, Law, and Security Working Group of BP3OKP Papua Barat said the team conducted an on-site inspection after receiving the complaint.

“We saw it directly on site, and the kitchen is indeed very close to residential areas. Based on residents’ accounts, the well water has been contaminated,” he said on Monday (13/4/2026).

The MBG kitchen supplies meals to schools under the Yayasan Pendidikan Islam Manokwari. However, Sirfefa noted that while internal kitchen management may be adequate, its surrounding environment does not meet proper standards.

“What we observed is that the facility may be fine internally, but the environment does not provide sufficient space and has impacted the community,” he said.

He questioned whether feasibility assessments and environmental considerations were properly conducted by the Badan Gizi Nasional (BGN) for MBG kitchens in the region.

“This should fall under the National Nutrition Agency (BGN)’s authority to conduct feasibility studies, including environmental considerations, but it appears this was not done,” he added.

Residents also warned that the issue could escalate into a legal matter, as environmental infrastructure requirements—such as safe distance from residential areas—were not met.

A parent of a university student living in a nearby female boarding house said they were forced to relocate their child after four years due to discomfort.

“I had to move my child to another boarding house because it’s no longer comfortable, even though she had lived there for years,” the parent said.

Boarding house owner Purwati reported financial losses as tenants moved out or refused to pay rent due to the deteriorating living conditions.

“Most of the tenants have left. Only a few remain, and even they refuse to pay because they feel uncomfortable,” she said.

The boarding house, which has operated for about a decade, now has around eight vacant rooms due to the issue.

Initially, Purwati tried to remain silent out of respect for neighbors and even built a fence herself. However, the problem worsened when the well water began to change.

At first, the water smelled oily, but after about six months it turned murky. When she had the well inspected, it turned out there was seepage from the kitchen’s waste disposal.

After cleaning the well, she confronted the kitchen management, who initially deferred responsibility to the landowner. Following the Eid holiday, the wastewater installation (IPAL) was eventually relocated further from the well.

A kitchen manager acknowledged the oversight, stating that the IPAL was moved after complaints were raised.

Meanwhile, Erika Vionita Warinusa, head of BGN Region Papua Barat, had not responded to requests for comment at the time of publication. (*)