JAYAPURA – The Papua Provincial Government has designated September as Transportation Safety Month to strengthen the culture of safety across transportation services. The initiative will help ensure safety standards are consistently implemented throughout the year.

Papua Acting Regional Secretary Christian Sohilait made the statement while leading a ceremony commemorating National Transportation Day at the Jayapura Aviation Polytechnic on Thursday (Sept. 17, 2026). Officials and representatives from various transportation-related agencies attended the ceremony.

Christian said transportation safety must be an integral part of every service operation. Safety standards must be applied under both normal conditions and during emergency situations.

“Safety must never be treated as merely an administrative routine. It is a moral responsibility, and safety standards must be implemented in the field,” Christian said.

According to Christian, the transportation sector faces a range of risks, including forest and land fires, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, flight disruptions, and shipping accidents. Such conditions require preparedness to protect public safety while maintaining connectivity for communities.

He called on transportation personnel to take field conditions into account when determining whether transportation operations should continue. If conditions are deemed unsafe, services should be temporarily suspended while alternative transportation arrangements are prepared.

“In such situations, safety and connectivity must be maintained simultaneously,” he said.

Christian also encouraged the use of technology and monitoring systems to support safe transportation services. Strengthening these systems, he said, must go hand in hand with efforts to improve the safety culture among transportation service providers.

“Let us make September Transportation Safety Month,” Christian said. ***