PMIZ, Tuna Plant vital projects for Fisheries: Minister

The Pacific Maritime Industrial Zone (PMIZ) in Madang and Manus Tuna Plant are priority projects of the Fisheries sector for this year, a government minister says.
Fisheries and Marine Resources Minister Dr Lino Tom said the Government allocated K100 million in this year’s budget for the decade-long delayed PMIZ.
He said K30 million from the K100 million will be appropriated to develop the Manus Tuna plant.
Dr Lino said amid skeptism by development partners such as the World Bank surrounding PMIZ, the Australian government had agreed to do its feasibility study.
“We needed some well reputable organisation to do the feasibility study so I wrote to the Australian government and they have agreed to come on board for this,” he said.
“PMIZ is like a flagship project that will drive our 10-year strategic plan so it’s actually on foot.”
“We’ve also engaged KPMG to do the financial feasibility.
“We hope to start work this year based on the feasibility and the reports.
“Manus Tuna (processing) Plant will also be getting Government priority. The Government is looking at also developing the wharf and bringing in bilateral partners for its development.”
“It will be a main agenda for discussion in our February trip to China with the prime minister.”
“Availability of resources is a reason why we have to prioritise some projects and put on hold others .
“Wagang Fisheries Wharf is going to be on hold.” Dr Lino said the board had also halted the project progress due to issues with the landowners.
“There’s no consensus among the landowners so Wagang is temporarily on hold.
“I cannot override the board’s decision but I’ll be having a meeting with them in February to discuss the way forward for Wagang.”