Merauke – Assistant II for Economic Affairs of the Regional Secretariat of South Papua Province, Sunarjo, S.Sos, emphasized the importance of seriousness in poverty reduction in South Papua Province.
In the Poverty Reduction Coordination Meeting (Rakor) held by the Regional Development Planning, Research and Innovation Agency (Bapperinda) at the Corein Merauke Hotel, Tuesday (17/12). Sunarjo revealed that although poverty data shows that South Papua Province, especially Boven Digoel Regency, has a high poverty rate, this still needs further study.
“Statistical data shows that the highest poverty rate is in Boven Digoel Regency, but it needs further study,” said Sunarjo in his speech.
He also highlighted the high rate of stunting in Asmat, which he attributed to family poverty.
Sunarjo mentioned the discrepancy between people’s perception of their poverty status. Although some residents receive Direct Cash Assistance (BLT), many of them do not feel poor, especially if they see themselves as having a salary as a member of the House of Representatives. “This is a conflicting reality, and a challenge for the government to explain the true standard of poverty,” he said.
In his explanation, Sunarjo emphasized that poverty in Merauke was recorded at only 1.7 percent of the total 168 thousand population based on the Permanent Voter data (DPT), but he asked that the poverty standard according to the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) be clearly socialized to the public.
Sunarjo also criticized the lack of understanding about government programs related to poverty, although the government has tried to build houses for people in remote areas.
One example is in Kondo Village, Neukenjerai District, where 75 housing units were built in 2011, but many houses are unoccupied because people prefer to live in the village.
He added that in order for poverty reduction efforts to be more effective, the government must involve entrepreneurs and investors, by utilizing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to touch areas that have not been touched by development programs.
Sunarjo also encouraged Bapperinda to improve development planning, which must be measurable and not just routine activities. “Good planning must involve various parties, and there should be no more coordination meetings next year. Real action must be taken,” said Sunarjo again. Going forward, Sunarjo hopes that strategic steps in poverty reduction can be implemented immediately, supported by clear and integrated regulations. “Strategic programs must be carried out to accelerate poverty reduction, which is currently recorded at 3.4 percent in South Papua,” he said.
