PNG strengthens Solomon networks

 THE Border Development Authority (BDA) led a team from the Government and Autonomous Bougainville Government  to the Solomon Islands to visit Taro Island last week.

The officials visited Taro to see 10 new Solomon Islands’ police houses funded by AusAID. The houses will be occupied by police officers to maintain law and order in Choiseul province and monitor the PNG-Solomon Island border.

Taro Island administration executive manager Roland Lapo said the Solomon Islands government was equally concerned at the uncontrolled and un-monitored activities on the PNG-Solomon Islands border.

“My administration is happy to work with the PNG-Bougainville counterparts in trying to reduce trafficking of human and illegal substances and firearms along our common border,” he said.

Lapo said the visit was the start of good networking and collaboration between the agencies’ officers from both countries.

The team comprised officers from the border authority, PNG Customs, National Fisheries Authority, PNG Censorship Office, National Planning and Bougainville Police.  

ABG Minister for Culture and Tourism and South Bougainville representative Rose Pihe and ABG Minster for Local Government and Communication Joe Nope were also part of the team. 

Officers took a three-hour trip on three banana boats to cross the maritime border from Kangu beach, South Bougainville to Taro Island, the province’s administrative centre.