NFA victim of new policy

Letters

THE National Fisheries Authority is one of the most competent statutory departments in PNG.
Since its establishment in 1998, it has been performing well as an effective regulator and overseer of the development of the fisheries sector. Moreover, it has been operating and focusing on the management of PNG fisheries to gain maximum sustainable benefits for the people.
This had all been done through the commitment of former managing director Sylvester Pokajam and other pioneering individuals.
Today NFA has expanded by establishing offices in major towns and cities in PNG and flagged itself well as a regional player in terms of fisheries and marine resources. However, with the Government’s Public Money Management Regularisation Act, NFA is now in deep recession and is not functioning as well as it is supposed to.
Most of the core functions of NFA have had cuts in their budgets and some of the major projects have been left unattended.
Core business units have had no funding since the control of NFA’s finance management moved to Vulupindi House.
The Government needs to revisit its policy and give NFA some flexibility in its daily operations before NFA losses its value in terms of effectively managing the marine resources.
There is also the fear that if NFA’s work continues to be restricted because of funding shortfalls, it might eventually get a red card from the European Union for illegal unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing practices.
NFA needs a vibrant and dynamic leadership so that well-informed decision-making can be made at both the national and international levels.
NFA has a problem with staffing issues and needs to review its recruitment process to strengthen the team. Currently, there are a number of staff leaving for greener pastures.
Finally, the Government of the day should fully understand how NFA and other State-owned enterprises operate because if they are not careful, the consequences can be painful.
A new managing director is needed within NFA to sort out all the problems within the organisation.

Solwara Blomi