Govt committed to strengthening border security

DEPUTY Prime Minister John Rosso says Papua New Guinea is committed to strengthening border security in the Pacific.
“The Pacific Ocean is fast becoming a trading route for transnational criminals and illegal border-crossers.
“The Government is focused on ensuring a safe and secure region,” he said.
Rosso, who is also responsible for the ministry for immigration and border security, said this after the conclusion of a two-day meeting last week in Port Moresby between the Papua New Guinea Immigration and Citizenship Service Authority (PNG ICSA) and the Solomon Islands Immigration Division (SIID).
Both agencies discussed capacity-building options and mapped out the foundations to collaboratively explore, identify, and select a border management system (BMS) for the Solomon Islands.
A BMS allows a government to collect, process, store and analyse information of persons entering and departing the country.
“The Government through, ICSA, provided technical and IT support to SIID during the Pacific Games (in the Solomon Islands) last year,”Rosso said.
“And will continue to support these initiatives to improve border security in the region.
“ICSA will help SIID procure a reliable and effective BMS for them.
“Because we share a common maritime border, a safer Solomon Islands means a safer PNG.
“PNG stands ready to support all Pacific Island states in any matters that are important to them and where they require our help.”
Acting chief migration officer Wellington Navasivu explained that the proposal to procure a BMS for SIID will be funded by the Australian government through the Department of Home Affairs.
“Due to an existing Memorandum of Understanding between ICSA and SIID, and ICSA’s technical experience, the Department of Home Affairs has offered the leadership role to PNG to help the Solomon Islands procure their first BMS.
“ICSA views this joint bilateral relationship as crucial for both countries in managing cross-border movements, generating economic growth, and improving border security in the region,” Navasivu said.
Solomon Islands acting permanent secretary for the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration, Hunter Masuguria, thanked ICSA and the Australian Department of Home Affairs for helping the country with the technical expertise to introduce BMS for the Solomon Islands Immigration Division.