Southwest Papua surveys for construction of a new pier

The Southwest Papua Province Transportation Office continues its work to develop marine transportation infrastructure and improve regional connectivity, including by a survey of the location for the construction of a new pier in Wardik Village, Wayer District, South Sorong Regency, Southwest Papua on Feb. 13, 2025.

The location review was led directly by Southwest Papua Transportation Office Head Viktor Salosa, and accompanied by the Sorong Navigation District technical team, South Sorong Regency Regional Legislative Council (DPRD) representatives, South Sorong Regency Transportation Office Head Kenny Baldus, local community leaders, and a Southwest Papua Transportation Office survey team.

Salosa emphasized to reporters that the survey was part of efforts to open up Southwest Papua from the threat of regional isolation. As a new autonomous region, he said that Southwest Papua is committed to accelerating transportation infrastructure development  to improve connectivity between regions, especially in the maritime transportation sector.

"We are in Wardik Village, Wayer District today to review the pier construction location as part of the acceleration of the connectivity program. Transportation infrastructure, especially in the maritime sector, is very important for the movement of goods and people," Salosa explained.

He added that the policy is in line with the Special Autonomy Law (Otsus) Volume 2, which stipulated the "Smart Papua, Healthy Papua, and Productive Papua," concept. The construction of the pier is expected to be a solution to the transportation needs of the five coastal areas in Southwest Papua.

"So far, the movement of goods has relied on Sorong City, which has limited access via land routes. This new pier will be a strategic infrastructure to facilitate logistics distribution and improve the regional economy," he added.

Sorong Navigation District Class I Technical Team Head Ully R. stated that the survey aims to determine the most appropriate location in line with the nature of the region's waterways.

"We are here to conduct a survey to determine the location of the seaport. It will be an important entry point for sea transportation, so an in-depth technical study, which includie the condition of the waters, ocean currents, and depths, is needed to support the regional connectivity program," he explained.

Ully also revealed that the location surveyed had previously been used as a port for timber company activities, so it has great potential to be further developed as a port that supports regional economic growth.

Support for the plan to build this pier also came from various other parties, including the South Sorong Regency DPRD and the local community. Efraim Ugaje, member of the National Awakening Party (PKB) faction in the South Sorong Regency DPRD, emphasized that the faction gave their full support for the pier development program.

"As representatives of the people, we are in full support of central and provincial government programs that aim to improve the poeple's welfare. The construction of this pier will greatly assist the movement of people and the distribution of goods in South Sorong [Regency]," he said.

Wardik Village Head Otto Saman also conveyed the local community's commitment to support the pier's construction in their area.

"We, as the owners of the area, and [myself as] the Saman clan head strongly support the construction of this port. The location of the construction is not a problem whether it will be [built] here or shifted nearby. We are still preparing it for the benefit of the wider community," said Saman.

The construction of a new pier in Wardik Village, Wayer District, is expected to be a major step in supporting regional connectivity and economic growth. The distribution of goods is targeted to be more efficient once the pier is in operation, and it is expected to open up greater opportunities for the local community in the maritime trade and industry sectors.