Morobe jetties option to be studied

MARINE engineers are set to study the feasibility of building jetties along the Huon Gulf coast in Morobe province.
Construction work will start as soon as the study is completed on the sites selected.
Huon Gulf MP Sasa Zibe, who is also Health Minister, said since last year, the joint district planning and budget priority committee (JDP&BPC) had been exploring several options to address feeder shipping issues in the region, mainly through studies and consultations.
“The out-come of our meeting is symbolic of increase co-operation among the committee to seek solutions within the region in the quest to fulfill much-valued shipping needs,” Mr Zibe said.
The project will be funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).It will also ensure that all conditions of the release of funds are fully met.A major breakthrough was made when the priority committee launched its
first passenger ship, the mv Rainforest, last year.“The need for sea transport by coastal communities has always been a major factor for people’s demand for transport services,” he said.
According to Mr Zibe, the new ports of Salamaua and Morobe coast have reasonable infrastructure for maritime services.
“Generally, coastal communities have suffered from poor shipping services which restricted trading opportunities,” he said, adding that as a result, these communities were seriously economically disadvantaged.