Gov’t Begins Construction of Yetetkun Cross-Border Post in Papua

Yetetkun Cross-border Post that will be a new icon in Boven Digoel, Papua Province. (Photo by: Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing).

The Government through Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing begins the construction of Yetetkun Cross-border Post in Ninati District, Boven Digoel Regency, Papua Province.

Previously, the Ministry has improved the quality of Trans Papua roads connecting Merauke and Boven Digoel to strengthen connectivity of border areas.

The construction of Yetetkun Cross-border Post is a part of the Government’s commitment to manifest the nine priority agenda (Nawacita) of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s first term, namely “developing border areas”.

Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono said that development of cross-border posts not only serves as an entry gate (to the state) but also as the center for the development of regional economy through the construction of new markets. For the record, the cross-border post is expected to increase prosperity of those living in border areas.

Yetetkun Cross-border Post was constructed on 25 February 2020 and is projected to complete after the commemoration of Indonesia’s Independence Day next year. To date, the progress of project with a total budget of Rp115.8 billion has reached 11.20 percent.

The Yetetkun Cross-border Post is divided into two zones, the core zone and sub core zone. The development of the core zone covers construction of main building, checkpoints, border security post, power house, Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP) system, as well as procurement of X-Ray machine and thermal detection.

As for sub core zone, the development covers housing complex for staff, waste management facility, toilets, and supporting facilities such as stalls (as the center of economy).

In the future, the Ministry will not only build cross-border posts but also access roads to border areas and posts, as well as develop housing infrastructures in border areas such as roads, drainage, waste management facility, clean water access, and so on.

In addition to Yetetkun Cross-border Post, the Government also carries on the development of sub core zone of Skouw Cross-border Post in Papua. The core zone is built on 10.7 hectares of land with a total budget of Rp117.5 billion. It includes the Statue of Soekarno, housing complex for staff, markets, management office, mosque, multipurpose building, a bridge, videotron, and other facilities.

Until the end of May 2020, the construction of supporting zones has reached 86.5 percent.

Supporting zones, including commercial area, are expected to bring direct benefits for the economy of people living in that area and facilitate MSMEs to promote their brands and products to its consumers.

In sub core zone, a market that can accommodate 304 stalls is also built on 3,600 m² which consists of ‘wet market’, ’dry market’, and open stalls.

Besides Skouw Cross-border Post, there is also Sota Cross-border Post in the borders of Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. The Ministry also developed Sota Cross-border Post that includes the construction of core zone such as main building, warehouse, health clinic, the statue of Garuda, parking lot, gates and checkpoints, as well as improvement of the quality of access roads to the Post.

Meanwhile, sub core zones which construction of was started in 2019 consists of official residence for the staff, the state guest house, mosque, church, rest area, parking lot, and rehabilitation of Sota Market which can accommodate 13 stalls. (Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing/EN)

Translated by : Rany Anjany
Reviewed by: Mia Medyana