AIR TOLL ROUTE PROGRAM CUTS PRICES OF GOODS IN PAPUA

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Aug 17 (Antara) - The government has launched an integrated sea and air toll road program to enable smooth delivery of goods to Papua's remote areas and to cut the high price disparities with those in other regions of the country.          In order to reach mountainous and remote areas in Papua, the people had so far used pioneer flight transportation with subsidized tickets. However, this has no impact on goods whose prices have high disparities with other regions due to transportation constraints.          Hence, the government has launched an integrated air and sea toll road program. Through the Ministry of Transportation, the government this year earmarked a subsidy fund of Rp21 billion to make the air toll road program a success.         The program has shown a positive impact, particularly in the price of cement. Residents in the mountainous areas of Papua will now be able to purchase cement at a price far lower than the previous price. In Puncak Jaya District, for example, the price per 50 kilogram of a sack of cement has dropped from between Rp1 million and Rp2 million to only Rp500 thousand.          The new price was effective from Aug 11, 2017. Besides, in Puncak Jaya, the price is also effective in six other districts of Jayawijaya, Tolikara, Lanny Jaya, Nduga, Yalimo, and Central Mamberamo.