Central Maluku needs inter-insular port

Antara News, Monday, February 15, 2010 14:23 WIB

Ambon (ANTARA News) - Central Maluku needs an inter-insular port to speed up the local economic growth, Ambon Mayor Jopi Papilaya said here on Monday.

Therefore, Papilaya has proposed it to Transportation Minister Fredy Numberi to have an inter-insular port constructed at Leihitu subdistrict in Central Maluku to overcome population density in Ambon city.

"I extended the proposal to the transportation minister when attending the World Peace Day in Ambon on November 25, 2009 and he suggested that I coordinate it with Maluku provincial administration," Papilaya said.

He said the facility was needed to anticipate sea accident when ships heading to Yos Sudarso port in Ambon have to pass rough sea between Capes Alang and Nusaniwe.

Therefore the Ambon mayor has proposed to construct an inter-insular port in Leihitu, to open a new economic centers at Passo village in Baguala subdistrict and other strategic areas.

"We also push for the realization of water front city (WFC) which has been agreed by Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry," Papilaya said.

Meanwhile, Maluku deputy Governor Said Assagaff was of the opinion that Papilaya had a strategic proposal and if it was realized, it would support the provincial administration program to build satellite town at Telaga Kodok village in Leihitu subdistrict.

"We fully support such a strategic program and ask Maluku transportation office to follow it up with the transportation minister," Assagaff said.