Indonesia President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) ordered the National Electricity Company to turn on electricity in Wutung, a region of Papua New Guinea that borders Papua. The order was announced after Jokowi hosted Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape. He ensured that electricity was on in Wutung which was supplied from West Papua, Indonesia.

Jokowi stated that Indonesia is committed to supporting the development of Papua New Guinea and Pacific countries. This commitment has been poured into a number of aids.

He said Indonesia had given grants to Papua New Guinea. Some of them include the renovation of a hospital in Port Moresby and the construction of public facilities in West Sepik.

“Papua New Guinea as a close neighbor and strategic partner of Indonesia, Indonesia appreciates and continues to expect Papua New Guinea’s support in increasing cooperation with the Pacific,” Jokowi said.

On that occasion, James Marape thanked Indonesia for its various assistance. He said Indonesia continues to help Papua New Guinea despite being in a difficult situation.

He thanked Jokowi for helping development on the Papua New Guinea border, especially electricity for Wutung.

“I would like to express my gratitude for the electricity in Wutung and I look forward to the power plant from Jayapura towards the future energy of various hydropower and geothermal potentials in Papua New Guinea,” said Marape.