Border road upgrade
Story and picture by ISAAC NICHOLAS
The vast land border between Papua New Guinea and Indonesia is difficult to manage given the difficult terrain. Pictured is a PNG Defence Force contingent based in Vanimo, Sandaun province, slugging through mud and flooded rivers trying to rich Smok by road. It takes them one day to walk to Imonda station to monitor the border region. Although the Indonesian side is far more developed in terms of road infrastructure, the PNG side is still lagging behind in development. However, that will change now with local MP and Forest Minister Belden Namah by allocating K2 million last Sunday to Vanimo Forest Products to build the 12km road linking Smok and Imonda. The Border Development Authority also has plans to assist with infrastructure development along the border.