BY RODRICK DESURI
Auki
The Afio Fishery generator is now becoming the most talked-about topic for the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR), the Malaita Provincial Government, and the people of Afio, South Malaita.
This follows the Ministry’s endorsement for the temporary transfer of the generator from the Afio Fisheries Centre to the Auki Fisheries Centre in Malaita Province.
During the move to remove the generator, the Maka Police and Afio residents were shocked and attempted to stop the move, as they were unaware of the official approval letter to remove the generator.
This paper sighted the endorsement letter, which said that the Supervising Deputy Director of the Provincial Fisheries Division under MFMR, Malakia, approved the move of the generator to Auki for temporary use.
“I write in my capacity as the Supervising Deputy Director of the Provincial Fisheries Division regarding the proposed temporary transfer of a generator from Afio Fisheries Centre to Auki Fisheries Centre in Malaita Province.”
The letter said the decision to move the generator was recommended by the Malaita Provincial Chief Fisheries Officer, Alick Maeorea, after the Auki Fisheries Centre generator broke down.
However, provincial minister for fisheries, environment, conservation and climate change, Jerry Hite’e, said only the Malaita Provincial Government has the power to remove any asset of the province.
He said that anything concerning the assets of the province must be debated and passed in the chamber before approval.
“Malaita Provincial Government has the absolute right over those provincial assets.
“There is a resolution regarding such matters, and we, the executive government, have to discuss and enact it,” he said.
In a letter from Permanent Secretary Eric George, dated last Friday, the generator is said to be meant specifically to supply power to the Afio fisheries centre.
Mr George also said that the generator will remain at Afio as the provincial government is planning to develop Afio into a regional township.
“We are also, according to our plan, developing Afio to become our regional township.
“So, it is not permissible for anyone to remove it without approval from the administration of the Malaita Provincial Government and the legitimate authority,” the letter said.
Meanwhile, the paper reached out to the Malaita Provincial fisheries office in Auki, and one of the fisheries officers said that the removal of the generator was done through an arrangement between the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, provincial fisheries, and the provincial government.
The officer even said that it was for the good of the fisheries centres in the province.
“This is an arrangement between the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR), provincial fisheries, and the provincial government.
“This is to support all fisheries centres,” the officer said.
For feedback, contact: [email protected]
Editor: [email protected]
