Authority to develop post

 THE Border Development Authority (BDA) plans to develop the Kangu border post in Bougainville to monitor the movement of people and goods along the PNG-Solomon Island (SI) border.

BDA acting Executive Chairman Fred Konga said this yesterday to rebut media reports, which claimed the national governments and the Autonomous Bougainville Government through the BDA were lagging behind in developing the border posts at Kangu while the SI government had commenced work on its border post on Taro Island.

Kangu Beach is a popular landing spot for people from Solomon Islands, mainly fishermen from the nearby Shortland Island. 

Konga said in a statement that BDA had so far built an office/accommodation for BDA and Customs at Buin.

“BDA will build the border post where officers form line agencies like Police, Customs, National Agriculture Quarantine and Inspection Authority and Immigration will be housed. This border post is vital for enforcing border security to deter illegal activities along the maritime borders PNG and Solomon Islands,” Konga said.

“Currently the national government through BDA is developing a K90 million trades and investment border pilot project at Wutung along the PNG-Indonesian border. This project is funded by the Asian Development Bank. The project is now in progress and will be completed in mid 2014. 

“This project once completed will cater for the office administration complex and housing. The complex will have offices for the border line agencies. Under the housing component, 26 new houses have been built and 10 existing houses have been renovated at the Wutung station to accommodate these officers and their families.

Konga said the Wutung project would also be used as a model to develop the Kangu border post.

He added that BDA had requested K15 million in the 2012 and 2013 budgets for the counterpart funding but due to government priorities, the funds have not been allocated. 

Konga said BDA also planned to establish a maritime surveillance post in Tasman Island in the Atolls to assist Defence, Police and the National Fisheries Authority to monitor the PNG-SI border.