Visiting Remote Village in Agats, Social Minister Overnight at Asmat Diocese Complex

ASMAT (15 November 2021) - For Social Minister Tri Rismaharini, flying 3,500 kilometers from Jakarta to Mozes Kilangin Airport, Timika, is not the end of the journey. After taking a short break, at around 06.30 East Indonesian Time (WIT), the Minister and a small entourage were back on the air for Agats, Asmat Regency.

The Minister visited a remote village in Agats, and stayed at the Agats diocese complex. Landing at Kamur Class III Airport at 09.35 am, the Minister continued to move towards Erosaman Village and Amagais Village, Derkomur District, Agats, Papua.

To reach these two villages, the Minister had to cross the river by fast boat twice. The journey via river takes a total travel time of about 40 minutes, namely from Kaswari Pier to Erosaman Village for 30 minutes and Amagais Village for about 10 minutes.

In Erosaman, the Minister reviewed the community center (social center), which is planned to be equipped with supporting facilities in the form of clean water facilities (water treatment). In this location, life insurance assistance was also provided for 45 families, and KAT empowerment for 23 groups/communities in the form of vegetable farming and hydroponic crops. Total aid worth 1.3 billion rupiah. In Erosaman Village, the Minister also distributed snacks for children, milk, boiled eggs, sports equipment in the form of soccer balls and volleyball, as well as having a dialogue with the community and village heads.

Meanwhile, in Amagais Village, Minister Risma visited the laying hens farm and harvested eggs at the location of the still under development farm. This farm is one of the laying hens farm locations distributed by the Ministry of Social Affairs through the Agats diocese. The Ministry of Social Affairs through the Directorate General of Social Empowerment in collaboration with the Agats Diocese also assisted in public transportation in the form of 3 longboats with a capacity of 40 PK to facilitate the accessibility of the Agats community.

Other assistance includes appropriate clothing for 100 families, additional food for 100 children and economic empowerment assistance, namely the construction of 5 kiosk units. The total aid from the Ministry of Social Affairs distributed through the Agats Diocese is a total of 1.6 billion rupiah.

In Agats, the Minister of Social Affairs received a warm and enthusiastic welcome from the community, traditional leaders and religious leaders. Asmat Regent Elisa Kambu expressed her appreciation to the Minister. "It has been 76 years since Indonesia's independence, only the Social Minister, an official who has set foot and stays at our faraway place," said the regent.

On behalf of the community, Regent Elisa expressed his gratitude. Moreover, the Minister came with various assistances to improve the welfare of the local community.

During her visit to Derkomur, the Minister also started a dialogue with the local community. In the discussion, the Minister received the reports of the needs of the community. “We will provide generators, so that people here get electricity to support their daily lives. I prepared a boat to increase community mobility. I have also tried to establish an internet connection,” said the Minister.

After the visit from the two villages, the Minister moved to the Agats Diocese Complex on Frans Kaisepo Street, Agats, Asmat Regency. Here the Minister and her entourage were welcomed by Bishop Aloysius Murwito. In late afternoon, the Minister and her entourage decided to spend the night at the Agats Diocese Complex, before leaving for Jayapura the next day for the next official agenda. On the sidelines of spending the night in the Diocese, the Minister greeted the nuns at the location. While chatting casually, the Minister toured the park in the Diocese. The Minister was very impressed with the beautiful and peaceful atmosphere in Agats Diocese, and would not hesitate to return.