Micah queries fisheries revenues

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, November 6, 2016 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)

MEMBER for Kavieng and Shadow Mister for Fisheries and Marine Resource, Ben Micah, has questioned what he said was US$10 billion in Tuna revenues in the 2017 budget, and the reinvestment back into maritime provinces in the islands regions.

Mr Micah reiterated that the country did not only exist on land with resources but also included the sea with its abundant resources.

“This sea area of our nation produces up to US$10 billion of Tuna only- we are talking about one major resource,” Micah stated.

“Most of it is coming out of an area that is known as the Bismarck Sea, and more specifically in my electorate.”

“How many years in government a lot of money from NFA (National Fisheries Authority) has been used to make roads in Port Moresby, used for all sort of expenditure from government that is not relevant to where the resource is coming from.”

He said there were no clear indications in the budget on the revenue of the tuna funds and the investment in island provinces and districts for that matter.

“The factories in Madang, Lae, Wewak. When will that money come into developing the fishing industry in the island regions where the Tuna is coming out? Do you have plans feeding your NFA and building roads in NCD?”

Fisheries Minister Mao Zeming referred to the country’s five onshore canneries in operation as clear indicators of reinvestment of the fisheries sector and also increasing the lucrative returns it brings into the public purse.

“Revenue is increasing now and we are giving dividends to the state. All four years I have paid dividends through my ministry,” Zeming said.

“I want to tell the country that we are serious in the business of fisheries, and you can see that with all the work that we are doing with a review of fisheries.”

“In Kavieng we are working on bechdemer projects and I hope the member will work closely with me.”

“We have the plan to put canneries in the country to achieve 100% downstream processing and export policy.”

He added that review into the fisheries sector is taking place by taking stock of all sectors in in the industry.

“So I want to tell the country that the five canneries are employing more men and women. Inside there are close 18,000 men and women working in them, 12,000 plus are all women.”