Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister Peter O'Neill is today to launch the construction phase of the Pacific Marine Industrial Zone project in Madang Province.
Fishing vessels, both modern and traditional, in the Madang lagoon, Papua New Guinea; site of the planned Pacific Marine Industrial Zone. Photo: RNZI / Johnny Blades
The US$235 million project, which would establish up to ten canneries and other port facilities on the Madang Lagoon, has been delayed for years due to legal, environmental and landowner issues.
However the prime minister recently recommitted his government to the PMIZ, construction of which will be carried out China Shenyang International Techinal Economic Corporation.
The Post Courier reports that according to a recent Pacific tuna forum, the project could boost the annual tuna catch in PNG from US$1.35 billion to US$2.7 billion.
But there's lingering concern among the Madang community about the possible environmental, social and land rights impacts from the PMIZ with many locals saying they have not been consulted adequately about the project.