Photo credit: Post Courier
The recently opened Voco Point Coastal Fisheries Hub has the potential to transform PNG's fisheries growth.
Fisheries Minister Dr Lino Tom and Morobe Governor Ginson Saonu recently opened the K105 million project in Lae.
The National Fisheries Authority (NFA) intends to rebuild its land holdings and properties at Voco Point so that it may serve as a hub for fish landing, processing, and distribution.
NFA managing director John Kasu stated during the launch that a facility would be built to facilitate large-scale fish distribution.
“The Voco Point fisheries hub project will take coastal fisheries development to another level,” he stated. “The project aims to become a main commercial hub for fishing groups in Morobe and the neighboring provinces like Oro, Manus, East New Britain and West New Britain.”
Buyers or retail stores, including catering companies, would be present at the facility to purchase the catch of fishing cooperatives and SMEs, according to Kasu.
“I know many of you may be wondering why NFA did not develop this project earlier on,” he said. “The concept became possible when NFA purchased this portion of land, which used to be under Lutheran Shipping, and then was transferred to Nasfund.
“So we purchased this piece of land and thereafter, we began to develop the concept of setting up this fisheries hub.”
The project will comprise a waterfront facility for landing, unloading, and selling fresh fish, as well as a facility for receiving, processing, and distributing frozen fish. On the other side of the road, an NFA office building will be erected.
“The fisheries hub will be commenced with the invitation of tenders by the end of this month or early February,” said Kasu.
“Selections of contractors will take place in March or April, and we anticipate the construction of the facility to begin in April or May of 2022.
“It’ll take 18 months to completion so we’re anticipating that by October of next year, this whole setup will be in place.”
Reference: Loop (17 January 2022). “K105m Fisheries Hub Launched”.
