Manus Provincial Government (MPG) and Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) were funded K6 million and K5 million respectively by National Fisheries Authority (NFA) to bolster support to enhance and drive fisheries projects and sustain their local economies.
Cheques totalling up to K11 million were presented to both parties as part of NFA’s commitment and nationwide agenda to drive a sustainable sector and fishing industry characterised by resilient and commercially inclusive socioeconomic growth.
Present to officiate the occasion were, Minister for Fisheries, Jelta Wong, NFA managing director, Justin Ilakini, Manus Governor, Charlie Benjamin, and ABG’s Minister for Fisheries and Marine Resources, Amanda Masono.
The funding to MPG was part of the signed memorandum of agreement (MoA), between both parties and NFA. These fundings aligned closely with NFA’s policies aimed at creating a resilient fisheries industry for the two key strategic locations.
Minister Wong said: “It’s an obligation that we have to do, a grant, that we’re giving back. But there’s reviews that are underway to ensure that the Government of Bougainville and the National Fisheries Authority have a similar program with the authority.”
“ABG, I think we can go a long way, and we’re always here, and I think that we should fast-track some of our workings together to ensure licensing of all our coastal products to go back to you guys,” said Mr Wong.
Minister Masono said one of key critical drivers for ABG is “invest in coastal fisheries” thus, the funds seemed timely for the government to assist work towards delivering for its economy only with the right framework.
“Basically, getting a government department established with the right structures, right people to be recruited, and get the reviewing of the Act and the regulations in place with the management.
“We can really invest and create the fisheries agency that we want to see thriving,” said Minister Masono.
Among others, the ABG is also prioritising sea weed and sea cucumber hatcheries.
“We believe that these are a few of the programs that we want to invest on, but we see that if we really invest on those programs, we can sustain our people on the ground and also help contribute to the internal revenue for our people,” she added.
Meanwhile, the K6 million given to MPG is part of the government’s commitment of about K30 million Kina for the development of the N’Drauke Fishing Facility and a tuna plant in Manus Province.
K6 million will be given each year for the next five years.
Governor Benjamin when thanking NFA for the funds said the K6 million kina will help in settling the land.
“Moving forward, this year and going next year, moving forward, we want to move a lot more faster in getting the project done.
“We are now getting the Minister for Transport and the Transport Department to bring a submission to NEC.
“ So that for NEC, for them to make a decision to get a national planning to look upon,” said Mr Benjamin when highlighting the ongoing work for the fishing facility.
Manus is also a tax free trade zone -aiming to attract investment and boost its local economy.
