The Transportation Ministry has shipped 428 buses to Papua Province to support the convening of the National Games (PON) and National Para Games (Peparnas), scheduled in October and November this year.
On Tuesday afternoon, Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi flagged off MV Dharma Kencana VII carrying 316 of the 428 buses at the Tanjung Priok Port in North Jakarta.
The vessel carrying the 316 buses is expected to arrive at the Jayapura city port in early September, according to the Transportation Ministry’s press statement that ANTARA quoted in Jakarta on Wednesday.
On August 21, MV Dharma Rucitra, carrying 112 buses, had left Jakarta for Papua. The ship is estimated to arrive at the port of Timika in Mimika District on August 28 and at the port of Merauke on August 31. “All the buses are used for transporting athletes and officials from all participating provinces in the city and district of Jayapura as well as the district of Mimika and Merauke,” Sumadi revealed.
Apart from sending the 428 buses, the ministry also provides 515 drivers. Of the total figure, 261 drivers that are recruited are native Papuans as part of the ministry’s commitment to empowering locals, he stated.
To ensure the provision of all requisite facilities for those competing in the National Para Games (Peparnas), 160 of the 428 buses will be modified by building wheelchair ramps, Sumadi confirmed. Several buses will later be handed over to state-owned bus company Perum Damri to support public transportation services in Indonesia’s easternmost province, he stated.
Papua has come under the spotlight of Indonesia’s media outlets, as it is scheduled to host this year’s PON National Games and Peparnas.
The PON National Games will be held in Jayapura City and the districts of Jayapura, Mimika, and Merauke on Oct 2-15, while Peparnas will be held on Nov 2-15.
At least 6,400 athletes and 3,500 officials from 34 provinces across Indonesia are expected to participate in Papua’s PON National Games that will feature 37 events.
Meanwhile, 1,935 athletes and 740 officials will take part in the National Para Games in Jayapura City and Jayapura District that will feature 12 events.
Source: Antara News