Solomons PNG Border

ozziegiraffe12:16 UTC29 Mar 2009

It may beocme easier to cross from PNG to Solomon Islands via the Shortlands following the opening of a new Police Post, incorporating customs and immigration.
See the following from the Solomon Star.

Manetoali hails new border police station

Friday, 27 March 2009

THE opening of Kulitanai Policing Centre in the Shortlands, Western Province, is a big step forward for Solomon Islands, police minister Samuel Manetoali said.

Mr Manetoali said the facility will meet the country's obligations in managing the border between Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands.

The minister joined Acting Police Commissioner Peter Marshall to open the new station last Friday.

The successful construction of the new facility came after much discussion over the years about the policing of the border dividing Bougainville, Shortlands and Choiseul and protecting the sovereignty of both countries.

Mr Manetoali said the strategic significance of the new facility cannot be understated.

“The police is fortunate to have secured Kulitanai Bay given its strategic position in relation to the border as well as its capacity as a deep and safe harbour for the police patrol boats and other police vessels,” he said.
Acting Deputy Commissioner, Edmond Sikua said the new facility is a significant policing development that will assist in providing better policing services to Shortland Islands communities.

He further stressed that the location of new facility is crucial for the effective operation of the different law enforcement agencies that are going to be posted there.

The Government funded the police station at a cost of $3 million.

The new police station will also accommodate Immigration, Customs and Quarantine officers manning the border.

Laszlo09:15 UTC20 Apr 2009

Unfortunately I see this piece of news being more about cracking down on illegal border crossings than about finally making legal crossings easier.
But I hope I am wrong - the last sentence allows for glimmer of hope! ;-)

Certainly facilitating legal border crossing there could give a (very) small boost to tourism in what are very remote corners of both countries.

isherwood02:39 UTC22 May 2009

very interesting! any more recent news?

tobybw08:35 UTC10 Aug 2009

Have you heard any more new I am planning on using that crossing quite soon?
toby

darwin197705:57 UTC16 Aug 2009

Hey Toby

I am thinking of doing the trip from Buin to Shortland Island, then onto Gizo, in Oct.

Doing research now. Happy to share notes. May be drop us a line back on thorntree. BD

Solomons PNG Border Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea
ozziegiraffe12:16 UTC29 Mar 2009	It may beocme easier to cross from PNG to Solomon Islands via the Shortlands following the opening of a new Police Post, incorporating customs and immigration. See the following from the Solomon Star. Manetoali hails new border police station Friday, 27 March 2009 THE opening of Kulitanai Policing Centre in the Shortlands, Western Province, is a big step forward for Solomon Islands, police minister Samuel Manetoali said. Mr Manetoali said the facility will meet the country's obligations in managing the border between Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands. The minister joined Acting Police Commissioner Peter Marshall to open the new station last Friday. The successful construction of the new facility came after much discussion over the years about the policing of the border dividing Bougainville, Shortlands and Choiseul and protecting the sovereignty of both countries. Mr Manetoali said the strategic significance of the new facility cannot be understated. “The police is fortunate to have secured Kulitanai Bay given its strategic position in relation to the border as well as its capacity as a deep and safe harbour for the police patrol boats and other police vessels,” he said. Acting Deputy Commissioner, Edmond Sikua said the new facility is a significant policing development that will assist in providing better policing services to Shortland Islands communities. He further stressed that the location of new facility is crucial for the effective operation of the different law enforcement agencies that are going to be posted there. The Government funded the police station at a cost of $3 million. The new police station will also accommodate Immigration, Customs and Quarantine officers manning the border.
Laszlo09:15 UTC20 Apr 2009	Unfortunately I see this piece of news being more about cracking down on illegal border crossings than about finally making legal crossings easier. But I hope I am wrong - the last sentence allows for glimmer of hope! ;-) Certainly facilitating legal border crossing there could give a (very) small boost to tourism in what are very remote corners of both countries.	1
isherwood02:39 UTC22 May 2009	very interesting! any more recent news?	2
tobybw08:35 UTC10 Aug 2009	Have you heard any more new I am planning on using that crossing quite soon? toby	3
darwin197705:57 UTC16 Aug 2009	Hey Toby I am thinking of doing the trip from Buin to Shortland Island, then onto Gizo, in Oct. Doing research now. Happy to share notes. May be drop us a line back on thorntree. BD	4