The Wutung Border Facility in Sandaun Province, Papua New Guinea, is set to officially open next month.
The announcement comes after the Border Development Authority (BDA) appointed 6 new board members last week.
BDA Chairman, Fred Konga, when announcing this, said the delay in opening the facility was due to delayed discussions with the Indonesian Government on border issues. Konga said once the facility opens, similar plans of developing other border facilities in another 5 border provinces will come into effect.
Over the years, the Wutung Border Post has come under much debate following several illegal border activities.
Smuggling of illegal goods including illicit drugs and weapons are some of the many border issues that have been occuring over the years between Papua New Guinea and Indonesia. However, the new facility is set to curb this illegal trend.
The facility will house other border agencies including the PNG Customs to check and monitor the flow of goods between the two countries.
The facility is set to open after the country’s 41st Independence Celebrations, September 16, 2016.
