Authority’s decommissioned building to be dismantled

By BRADLEY MARIORI
THE Morobe Fisheries Management Authority (MFMA) building at Voco Point in Lae was decommissioned yesterday and will be dismantled for a new building.
For the time being, the authority will be operating out of Gavman Haus at Top Town while the Voco Point set-up will be demolished and a new facility built to serve Morobe’s fish farmers and fishermen.
National Fisheries Authority (NFA) executive manager for its project management unit Joshua Ryan said the authority would fund the facility which would be a fisheries hub focusing more on small holder fishermen.
“NFA will work with the provincial government and the private sector to help Morobe and fishermen from other neighbouring provinces too,” Ryan said.
“Money has been allocated and ready for work on this facility to progress.
“This facility can help solve an issue in terms of marketing for local farmers.
“We’ll get the project off the ground before the end of this year and it can go into full swing next year.”
Morobe administrator for economics, Masayan Moat, said the current facility was run down and it needed to be upgraded.
“We will support NFA in this project to help MFMA grow,” Moat said.
Morobe Fishermen’s Association chairman and former Huon Gulf MP Sasa Zibe applauded the development of the new facility.
He said there were many problems faced by fishermen, including access to freezers and fuels and the authority needed to talk with them to help them address these issues.