Minister Basuki: Integrated PLBN Development Of Napan Becomes A Center For Economic Growth

PUPR Minister Basuki Hadimuljono. (Photo: Theresia Agatha/VOI)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) will soon complete the construction of the Napan Integrated Cross-Border Post (PLBN) in the Middle East, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), at the end of January 2024, in the context of developing the Indonesia-Timor Leste border area.

"The development of PLBN is not only an entry gate, but is an embryo in the center of regional economic growth that can improve the welfare of the border community," said PUPR Minister Basuki Hadimuljono in a written statement, quoted on Tuesday, January 16.

Basuki said that the development of this PLBN is not only the pride of Indonesia as a great nation, but the most important thing is to ensure the function of security defense, as well as develop new economic growth centers in the Indonesia-Timor Leste border area.

Currently, the construction of phase I facilities and infrastructure for the Napan Integrated PLBN has been completed in 2022 and is now continuing with Phase II to complete the core zone area and sub-core zone of PLBN Napan which is targeted to be completed by the end of January 2024.

The construction of supporting infrastructure for PLBN Napan phase I itself has started since December 2020 including core building work, confiscated warehouses, car washing buildings, employee mess, Wisma Indonesia, public toilets, mini terminals, hardscape, landscape, regional MEP work, TNI member office construction and Polri member office.

Based on data from the Ministry of PUPR, phase I work has been carried out since December 2020 and completed in June 2022 at a cost of around Rp. 106 billion by contractor PT Wijaya Karya Bangunan Bangunan.

Furthermore, what is currently underway is the development in phase II with a budget of IDR 22.7 billion for the construction of rest areas, regional fences, concrete roads, landscapes, signage of the name of PLBN, slope strengthening, furniture and hallways of core buildings.

The second phase of physical work has been started by the NTT Regional Settlement Infrastructure Center (BPPW) of the Directorate General of Human Settlements since May 2023 with the implementing contractor PT Metro-Construction Jaya (KSO). Currently, construction progress has reached 95 percent and is targeted for completion on January 30, 2024.

"The development of the Napan PLBN is expected to improve the quality of border areas in East Nusa Tenggara Province so that it becomes a competitive border area and can reduce disparities, especially in the 3T region (frontier, outermost and underdeveloped)," he concluded.

For your information, PLBN Napan is located in Napan Village, North Bikomi District, North Central Timor Regency, which is about 200 kilometers (km) from Kupang City as the capital city of NTT Province and can be reached for about 5 hours via land route.

Caption: The construction of the Integrated National Border Post (PLBN) in the North Middle East, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) will soon be completely completed by the end of January 2024. Photo: Doc. PUPR