JAYAPURA — Papua Governor Matius D. Fakhiri held a face-to-face meeting with ondoafi and residents in Depapre District, Jayapura Regency, to ensure support for the planned development of the fisheries sector in the area.

During the meeting, Fakhiri emphasized that the government was not taking over community land rights, but was only opening access for development for shared prosperity.

"The government has no rights over the land. We are only opening access. The land remains the property of the community," Fakhiri said during the meeting with ondoafi and residents in Waiya Village, Depapre District, on Wednesday (April 29, 2026).

He expressed appreciation for the openness of Depapre's ondoafi and residents, who welcomed development without sacrificing local customary values and history.

"We are grateful to have communities and ondoafi who have the mindset to accept development for the benefit of their people," he said.

Fakhiri said the Papua Provincial Government has designated Depapre as a fisheries-based district. The programs being prepared include the construction of village docks, bridges leading to the sea, and fishermen's village areas.

"Depapre will become the fisheries hub of Papua Province. We will build facilities, including a fish canning factory," he said.

In addition, the government will also provide support to fishermen's groups in the form of fishing boats and technical assistance to increase production.

"Not everyone needs to become a civil servant. Our sea is vast. Catch fish, and the government will help buy the catch," Fakhiri said.

He also reaffirmed the government's principle of not purchasing land for development projects.

"If I buy it, then you will no longer have rights to it. We, the government, are only coming in with programs, and the benefits will return to the community," he stressed.

Fakhiri expressed hope that the community would continue to safeguard ongoing development and monitor its implementation. He also assured residents that he would continue going directly to the field to engage in dialogue with them.

"I will never grow tired of meeting the community for the common good," he said.

The Papua Provincial Government is targeting the development of Depapre as a marine-based economic center capable of improving community welfare in a sustainable manner. ***