Proper planning doesn’t hold back development: Official

A COOPERATIVE society representing fishermen in Morobe says lack of proper planning in the sector is an obstacle to development.
Morobe Tuna Fishermen Corporative Society chairman Sasa Zibe said there should be a proper plan on how locals could be helped in the fisheries sector.
Zibe said no planning created issues such as no extension support, no ice to preserve fish in rural areas, a poor public maritime transport system, processing facility and funding support.
Zibe said the society was addressing the issues itself.
“We have developed the Morobe community fisheries project which will complement the National Fisheries Authority’s work,” he said.
“We also want to extend extension support among ourselves – farmer to farmer or fishermen to fishermen.
“We also want to provide regular transport service to rural people. Our crew members are in Port Moresby repairing a boat that will provide transport and logistic services around the Huon-Gulf coastline.”
He said the plan was to supply ice-blocks to 30 fish market centres in Morobe and collect fish on returning to Lae so villagers didn’t have to travel there.
He urged the Government to assist with boats to cover the area towards the border with Oro and another to Tewae-Siassi towards the Madang border.
The society has 33 corporative groups – 23 in the coast and 10 from inland fish farms.