Govt agencies move to fast-track border post

Lands, DPLLGA, and OTML teams use static GPS technology to map the 50m x 170m temporary Butmabin Border Post site on Thursday, Aug 27, establishing boundary coordinates for PNG Customs declaration and customary landowner lease rentals (Image: Supplied)

Key government departments and border agencies met in Kiunga last week to fast-track the establishment of a temporary border post at Butmabin-Yetetkun in the North Fly district of Western.

The initiative aims to secure fuel and essential supplies for Ok Tedi Mining Limited [OTML] as ongoing El Niño conditions severely disrupt standard logistics routes.

The inter-agency meeting follows a directive issued on August 19 by the Department of Provincial and Local Level Government Affairs [DPLGA], which declared the operationalisation of the border post a national priority.

Representatives from the Western Provincial Administration convened alongside officials from DPLGA, Foreign Affairs, Lands and Physical Planning, Transport, PNG Immigration, PNG Customs, and PNG Biosecurity.

Under the framework, DPLGA will lead overall coordination, prepare the National Executive Council [NEC] submission, and conduct landowner awareness.

The Department of Foreign Affairs is tasked with leading government-to-government negotiations with Indonesia while supporting OTML’s talks with Indonesian state energy company Pertamina.

The Department of Lands and Physical Planning will execute land surveys and facilitate official gazettal of the site.

Concurrently, the Department of Transport is developing standard operating procedures (SOPs) for heavy transport vehicles, while Customs and Biosecurity will establish border control compliance protocols. Immigration officials will oversee travel documentation for all border operators.

Site surveys, agency deployments, customs protocol development, and landowner consultations were scheduled to run from Aug 24 to 30.

OTML stated that the temporary border post remains critical to maintaining mining operations and safeguarding national revenue during the prolonged dry spell.

Meanwhile, the Provincial Administrator and Mayor of Kiunga Town have reiterated FRPG’s position that the Butmabin site must not be used as a temporary border post. Speaking at Thursday’s meeting, both leaders said the focus must remain on the permanent gazetted site where work is ongoing.