Jayapura, Papua — The Mayor of Jayapura, Abisai Rollo, has urged the local government of Nafri Village to be more responsive and proactive in recognizing and utilizing the natural, cultural, and creative assets within their communities. He emphasized that indigenous villages across Jayapura should strive for self-reliance by optimizing their available resources.

“In fact, every village has great potential that could generate income if managed properly. The problem is that many village officials are not attentive enough to recognize these opportunities,” Mayor Rollo said during the Turkam (Regional Government Outreach) event in Nafri Village on Wednesday, June 4.

Taking Nafri Village as an example, Mayor Rollo highlighted the fisheries and agriculture sectors as promising economic drivers.

“Nafri has a coastal area that is perfect for fish farming, and there is plenty of land suitable for agriculture — it’s just a matter of proper management,” he explained.

During the Turkam program, the Jayapura City Government provided thousands of catfish and tilapia fingerlings to support local fish farming initiatives. The assistance was intended not only as material support, but also to broaden the perspectives of village leaders and inspire proactive development.

“We’re always open to supporting villages that want to grow based on their unique strengths,” said Mayor Rollo. “Through the relevant municipal departments, we are ready to assist — but the first step must come from the community and village government themselves.”

The mayor also encouraged local governments to be more sensitive to small-scale community enterprises such as handicrafts, micro-enterprises, and cultural activities, all of which can contribute to sustainable community empowerment.

“If there are villagers engaged in crafts or small businesses, they should be supported. Don’t leave them to struggle on their own — government intervention is crucial to stimulate the people’s economic development,” he asserted.

Source:
Cenderawasih Pos. “Wali Kota: Potensi Kampung Jangan Dibiarkan Tidur.” Published June 7, 2025.