Marchio Irfan Gorbiano, Jayapura – President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo inaugurated the 732-meter Youtefa Bridge in Jayapura, Papua on Monday on the last leg of his three-day trip to Papua and West Papua.
Construction was started on the bridge, previously known as the Holtekamp Bridge, in May 2015. It spans Youtefa Bay, connecting Holtekamp village in the Muara Tani district with Hamadi village in the South Jayapura district.
"I have always pushed to accelerate infrastructure construction in eastern Indonesia in parallel with human resources development. The goal, besides improving the people's prosperity, is to improve connectivity so that the movement of goods and people can be faster, resulting in much cheaper goods and services for the public," Jokowi said in his speech at the bridge's inauguration.
"This is also the case with the Youtefa Bridge, which we are inaugurating today, a bridge that has been built over four years with a budget of Rp 1.8 trillion [US$128 million]."
The President added that he hoped that the bridge would serve as a new icon for Papua, particularly during the 2020 National Games (PON), which will be held in the province.
"Finally, I also ask that the Papua provincial administration and the Jayapura municipal administration use the Youtefa Bridge to develop tourism in Youtefa Bay," he said. "Use this as an opportunity for Papua to rise and advance."
Shortly after the inauguration ceremony, Jokowi left the province to visit Ambon, Maluku. (kmt)