New money law puts delivery of Fisheries programmes on the back foot

THE Public Money Management Regularisation (PMMR) Act 2017 which came into effect this year has delayed National Fisheries Authority from delivering it programmes this year.
Managing director John Kasu said it was impossible to deliver projects and programmes scheduled for the year because all their revenue had gone to the Finance Department.
He said there was a decision last month that there would be a different ratio for NFA and not a 90/10.
“Maybe half of the revenue we generate is kept by us and the other half could be kept by the Department of Finance,” he said.
Kasu said they would be discussions soon how they could move into next year with insufficient funds to run their operations.
“We are embarking on programmes like the markets, jetty, public motor vehicle (PMV) projects,” he said.
“How are we going to deal with those next year? Those are the very issues that we need to go back to the Finance and Treasury departments.
“If they are able to finance those, then we can run together.
“We can be the implementers but the funds come from the government. These are some of the challenges in terms of finance.”
Kasu said that all the new programmes for this year had been put on hold.
“Our biggest project that we are embarking on is the Alotau Market,” he said.
“Everything is underway.
“The contractor has come on board, mobilisation and project is starting now. We are hopeful that we complete around next September.”
Kasu said the Act not only affected NFA but other Government agencies as well.