Source: The National
The controversial multi-million US$ tuna processing zone that is now taking shape in Madang PNG has won full support from six legitimate landowner clans living around the project site.
The landowners belonged to the Kananam Investment Ltd (KIL), an umbrella company which is now actively involved in the initial works.
KIL asked: “Would those that oppose the project provide for the 2,000 Kananam people, not to mention employment, financial support, provision of basic services, and decent meals for all families?â€
Through KIL, the landowners said by the end of this month and for the next six months, about 200 clan members would be employed as the site clearing and perimeter fencing progressed.
PMIZ aims to develop a site for at least seven foreign-funded canneries that will process tuna catch from the exclusive economic zones of PNA-member countries, namely Federated State of Micronesia, Marshall Island, Palau, Nauru, Kiribati, Tuvalu, Solomon Islands and PNG.
PNA stands for Parties to the Nauru Agreement.
The Papua New Guinea Government said these countries had yet to maximise the benefits from their tuna harvests, stressing that the only way for them to do this was through the PMIZ.
The Government said the setting up of at least seven canneries at the zone could generate easily about K1.4 billion annually, and provide direct employment to some 30,000 locals.
The economy would also benefit from the gross turnover of other support facilities like can-making, net-making, rope-making and other proposed commercial enterprises, direct and indirect taxes, and many more.