IT has been eight years since Boven Digoel became autonomous-weaned from its parent, Merauke regency. However, its condition still lags far behind. Its infrastructure is poor, its economy weak. Roads in the seven districts and around 52 villages in Boven Digoel are still impassable by vehicles. The most pitiful is the Merauke-Boven Digoel road.

Only 400 kilometers long-the distance of Jakarta to Tasikmalaya-yet it takes two days and two nights by