Jakarta President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) distributed assistance to local merchants and residents while monitoring the prices of basic necessities at Pharaa Market, SentaniSub-district, Jayapura District, Papua Province, on Friday.The President arrived around 2:45 p.m. local time and received an enthusiastic welcome from local merchants and residents, according to a statement released by the Press Bureau of the Presidential Secretariat.

t the market, he reviewed the prices of basic necessities and handed over assistance to merchants and residents, both in the form of direct cash assistance and basic necessities.

He also bought some oranges and soursops from a merchant and took pictures with local merchants and residents at the market.

The head of state was accompanied by three ministers--State Secretary Minister Pratikno, Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian, and Minister of Investment and Head of the Indonesian Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM)Bahlil Lahadalia.

Indonesian Military CommanderAdmiral Yudo Margono; National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo; Papua's caretaker governorMuhammad Ridwan Rumasukun; and acting head of Jayapura District Triwarno Purnomo also joined them.

President Jokowi continued his working visit agenda in Papua by meeting with Papuan students on Friday morning.

He then proceeded to inaugurate the Papua Street Carnival held in the area of the Papua Governor's Office in Jayapura city before heading to Pharaa Market.

fter visiting the market, the President was scheduled to conclude the agenda by inspecting Waibu Agro Ecotourism at KwadewareVillage, Jayapura District, before returning to Jakarta via Sentani International Airport onboard the Indonesia-1 Presidential Aircraft.

Source: Antara News Agency