goodmorningpapua.com – Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) continues to support the acceleration of infrastructure development in Papua to encourage economic equity and improve community welfare, especially in border areas. One of them is the development of supporting facilities and infrastructure for the Yetetkun Integrated Cross-Border Post (PLBN) in Boven Digoel Regency, Papua Province.
PUPR Minister Basuki Hadimuljono said the construction of the PLBN is not only a pride for the Indonesian nation as a great nation, but the most important thing is the function of defense and security and at the same time as a new center of economic growth in the border region of Indonesia – Papua New Guinea (PNG).
“The development of the PLBN is not only an entry gate but also the embryo of a regional economic growth center that can improve the welfare of border communities,” said Minister Basuki, Thursday (17/3/2022).
Currently, the physical progress of the Yetetkun Integrated PLBN development has reached 97.57%. This work began in February 2020 and is targeted for completion in May 2022 with a budget sourced from the 2020-2022 State Budget (MYC) of Rp115.8 billion. It is known that in one week the number of passers who crossed the Yetetkun PLBN was 14 people out of a total population of 2,206 people (2017).
The construction of the PLBN is conducted by the Regional Settlement Infrastructure Center (BPPW) of the Papua Province, Directorate General of Human Settlements, which is divided into core and sub-core zones. The scope of work in the core zone includes the main PLBN building, checkpoints, gate posts, TNI posts, power houses, mechanical electrical and plumbing (MEP), procurement of X-Ray and Thermal Detection equipment, and portals. Meanwhile, for the sub-core zone, employee houses and supporting zones will be built such as kiosks (economic centers), landscaping, and other infrastructure such as waste processing sites and provision of toilets.
The presence of Yetetkun’s Integrated PLBN has had a positive impact on the people on the Indonesia-Papua New Guinea border. Because apart from the PLBN, the PUPR Ministry is also improving the quality of the border road (Trans Papua) on the Merauke-Boven Digoel section to strengthen the connectivity of the border area. This connectivity support makes it easier for the community to bring their farm produce to sell at the National Boundary Peg, where the surprise market is usually held.
Previously, President Joko Widodo had inaugurated two integrated PLBNs in Papua. The first was the Skouw Integrated PLBN in Muara Tami District, Jayapura City in 2017. Second, the Sota Integrated PLBN in Merauke in October 2021 yesterday.