Maluku - Papua Proposed To become maritime Axis

Jakarta, Dec 24 (Antara) - Papua and Maluku are proposed to become the maritime axis region to achieve the national program of marine sector development in accordance with the Regional Development Plan Meeting 2014. According to the meeting`s agenda received here on Wednesday, the proposal is one of the outcomes of the regional meeting and will be incorporated in the National Mid-Term Development Plan 2015-2019. National Development Planning Minister Andrinof A. Chaniago stated during the Public Consultation Forum 2015-2019 that the sea toll planned to be built in Maluku and Papua will be integrated with the connectivity lanes from west to east in order to support economic activities, especially in the small and outer islands. The four seaports to be built in Maluku and Papua will be in Ambon, Arar Sea, Jayapura, and Merauke. The seaports will be part of the 24 strategic ports to be constructed at an estimated cost of Rp243.69 trillion, or about US$19,524 billion, excluding the cost of other facilities, such as multi-mode transportation, cargo ports, and shipyards. Eight other seaports will also be built in Sumatra and four others in Kalimantan. The Regional Development Plan Meeting 2014 also prioritizes the construction of railroads to provide access to the communities living in hinterlands. The National Mid-Term Development Plan has now reached its concluding phase before it will be discussed during the cabinet meeting led by President Joko Widodo in mid-January 2015.