papuachronicle.co – Wamena. Vice Minister of Home Affairs Ribka Haluk emphasized the importance of accelerating the development of government infrastructure in the Papua Pegunungan Province. She conveyed this when directly reviewing the location of the Papua Pegunungan Province Government Center Core Area (KIPP) at the Biological Garden of the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) Gunung Susu, Jayawijaya Regency, Friday (5/16/2025).
“After there is a governor, of course there must be infrastructure development. In the sense that we have to build the governor’s office and also all [facilities and infrastructure] of the government,” said Ribka.
Ribka explained that so far, a number of New Autonomous Regions, including Papua Mountains have still used buildings borrowed from the previous regional government. Therefore, the construction of infrastructure such as the governor’s office, service offices, the Papua People’s Representative Council (DPRP) office, the Papua People’s Assembly (MRP) office, and other supporting facilities are a priority so that services to the community can run optimally.
She also expressed the Ministry of Home Affairs’ full support for the steps of the Governor of Papua Mountains who has determined the LIPI Gunung Susu area as the new location for KIPP. The location is considered feasible and legally not problematic because it has been donated by the Jayawijaya Regency Government to the Papua Pegunungan Provincial Government (Pemprov).
Meanwhile, the Governor of Papua Mountains John Tabo explained that the location of KIPP was moved from Walesi to Gunung Susu due to security considerations and strategic location. The land in the old location still has issues with customary land disputes that hinder the development process, while the new location in Gunung Susu is government land that is ready to be used.
“[In] 1993 this customary land was handed over, at that time I was the Chairman of the Jayawijaya Regency DPR. I know this process very well. Therefore, this is land that is not problematic, because it belongs to the assets of the Jayawijaya Regency Government,” said John.
He added that the construction of all infrastructure, including the governor’s office, DPRP, and MRP, uses the State Revenue and Expenditure Budget (APBN). The local provincial government is tasked with preparing and providing land as a development location.
John also ensured that development would not disrupt the natural structure around the selected location.