JAYAPURA - The Daily Executive of Papua Governor Muhammad Ridwan Rumasukun said the existence of Oil and Gas in Papua is very important if managed properly because it can positively impact increasing local original income (PAD) and people's welfare.

This was conveyed by Governor Ridwan in a written speech read by the Functional Officer of Policy Analyst for the Economy and Finance of Papua Province, Anni Rumbiak, in Jayapura.

Therefore, the Governor positively welcomed the Focus Discussion Group (FGD) initiated by the Energy and Mineral Resources of Papua Province with the Center for Natural Resources and Energy Studies of Cenderawasih University. The FGD held last Monday discussed the preparation of the study and the draft provincial regulation on oil and gas in Papua Province.

"The FGD was made to strengthen oil and gas management efforts so that when the community manages natural resources, it does not violate and is protected by law. And this natural resource will increase local revenue, so they made the draft to strengthen the implementation of existing laws and regulations”.

"So that the community also feels part of this rule, and the results provide added value to the welfare of the surrounding community," he said.

The head of the academic manuscript preparation team, Dr. Hotlan Samosir, MH suggested that the provincial government has a legal product that can protect the interests of oil and gas producers in Papua, so that its management is right on target.

"In terms of academic thinking, it is a good step for the provincial government to have a legal product that can protect the interests of oil and gas operators, only the distribution of oil and gas continues to be a problem."

"So, actually upstream and downstream need attention, because Papua has potential, so it is encouraged through academic texts to become a regional regulation," he said. ***