Patrick Basa

Kabwum MP applauds budget

K10 million is for district services improvement program, K5 million for district infrastructure program, K5m from infrastructure development grants and K2 million tied to programs and projects under the provincial budget.

Kabwum MP, Patrick Basa, thanked Governor Luther Wenge for taking the districts into consideration.

“Since mi kamap Memba lo 2017, mi no bin lukim kain ol allocation. National Government used to give DSIP, but we don’t see the provincial government component, which was earned through internal revenue,” said Basa.

Community urged to take ownership

The 40 metres Haumu bridge was constructed at a cost of K700,000.

Minister Nali when addressing the people at the opening urged the people to take care of such infrastructures and take responsibility to own it.

"The Government will always provide services but all it is asking for is for people to take ownership and look after it."

Speaking as the Alotau MP, Mr Abel said such infrastructures are important for the Government as it opens up opportunities for people to take part in doing business and other commercial activities.

Three more Members join PNC

Patrick Basa, Minister for Fisheries and Member for Kabwum, Bari Palma, Member for Kerowagi and Joseph Yopyyopy, Member for Wosera-Gauwi, joined PNC at the Party’s caucus meeting last night.

“The Honourable Patrick Basa had been the Leader of the Party Leader of Christian Democratic Party, and has been released by his party to join PNC,” said Prime Minister and PNC Leader, Peter O’Neill, in a statement.

“The Honourable Bari Palma has resigned from the PNG Party in Opposition, to join PNC.

Government supports Manus fish cannery

Minister for Fisheries, Patrick Basa, said the Government welcomed the idea which was raised in Parliament by Planning Minister, Richard Maru.

The question was raised by Manus Governor, Charlie Benjamin, during the last session of Parliament on what plan the Government have to sustain the economy of Manus after the closure of the Asylum processing center.

Maru in a response said the Government has plans and one of them is to establish a fish cannery that will employ more than a thousand people and bring revenue to the province.

​NFA to invest in processing facilities

This is to enable SMEs involved in the fishing industry, to prepare, process and export their products to the market.

The announcement was made yesterday by the Minister for Fisheries, Patrick Basa, when officiating at the Pacific Seafood and Technology Exposition 2017.

He said this will be captured in NFA’s program and budget for the next 3 years, commencing in 2018.

Basa noted the struggle of local seafood companies in developing and bringing products to their markets to meet the demand, or consistency, in their supply.

NFA presents K60m dividend

The National Fisheries Authority is a self-financing government authority that generates its funding through statutory and access fees from the fishing industry and like all other State owned entities, the NFA is required to pay dividend to the government.

Since 2001, the National Fisheries Authority has paid a total of K396.25 million to the national government.

From 2008 to 2011, NFA ceased paying dividends as per the National Government directions for the surplus funds to be invested in impact fisheries project.

Kabwum MP thanks PM for portfolio

Basa said his appointment means Morobe will continue to have a voice at the Cabinet, which the people throughout the province will be very grateful for.

Basa is the only Morobe MP in Government and is the Fisheries Minister.

“On behalf of my people of Kabwum, I thank the Prime Minister for having confidence in my ability to provide political leadership in the fisheries sector of our country.

“I take over the Fisheries Ministry from fellow Morobean Mao Zeming, who has done an outstanding job in the last five years.