PM LAUNCHES FISHING VESSEL FOR SAMARAI MURUA DISTRICT

By Therese PIDIK

Samarai Murua District having 80 percent of Milne Bay Province as the largest maritime district, will now harness this economic opportunity in the fishing industry with the recent launched of the Kekeisi 1 Fishing Vessel.

The Fishing vessel was launched yesterday by Prime Minister James Marape at the Lancron Naval Base in Port Moresby.

Samarai Murua MP Isi Henry Leonard, speaking during the launch, highlighted that, the district has identified ways to harness the maritime potentials and through the District Development Authority Strategic and Innovative Plan, have and the District Economic Stimulus Package, one of the key projects to be rolled out is the Coastal Fishing Program in partnership with Thailand Investor.

MP Leonard says, with the Kekeisi Fishing vessel, it will assist all local fishermen in the district to store their catch to be exported, and this he says, district is taking a step by step approach to realise this dream, as the name of the boat explains- Kekeisi, meaning taking small steps.

He says, through the partnership with Thailand Investor, Kekeisi came with the crew from Thailand, to train local fishermen in the district on fishing skills and to empower them to increase their yields in fishing.

MP Leonard also highlighted other key economic opportunities to explore into for socio economic development, include, Coastal Fishing Program in Partnership with Thailand Investor, Carbon Trade and Eco Tourism Development in partnership with Dubai Investor, Alluvial Gold Mining and Processing and marketing partnership with locally owned company.

Mr Leonard emphasised that, he wants to engage his people in business opportunities, and to support them in creating their own jobs to be business- men and women.

The fishing project will start in Misima this month.

Present with the Prime Minister at the launching of the Kekeisi Fishing Vessel, National Planning Minister and Rigo MP Sir Ano Pala, West New Britain Governor Sasindran Muthuvel and Moresby North-West MP Lohia Boe Samuel together with Samarai Murua DDA representatives -and invited guest.

Meantime Prime Minister who officially launched the Fishing vessel, congratulated Samara Murua MP Isi Henry Leonard for this economic enabler and also made assurance of the government support to Samarai Murua District going forward with this project.