The Provincial Executive Council has officially appointed the new board of the Morobe Fisheries Management Authority, which includes the National Fisheries Authority and Provincial Fisheries Authority as Ex Officio Members.
Leadership of the freshly constituted board is anchored by Chairman John Kasu and Deputy Chairman Fabian Chow, who represents the shipping sector.
They are joined by Hilmar Wong, a naval architect and shipwright, alongside Glenn Mesias, the General Manager of Frabelle, who represents the Fishing Industry Association.
Rounding out the board’s diverse expertise are a Fisika representative; Weti Zozingao, the Authority’s former Provincial Programme Adviser; Misech Abraham, representing Inland Fisheries and the Anga region; and Benson Nablu, the former Secretary of the Department of Morobe and representative for the Huon region.
In light of these appointments, Governor Rainbo Paita acknowledged that the Morobe Fisheries Authority has legislative oversight and an existing Memorandum of Understanding with its national counterpart that urgently needs to be revisited.
Governor Paita emphasized that the Memorandum of Understanding and legislation governing the Morobe Fisheries Management Authority “must now be reviewed in its entirety — for it reflects current realities and defines responsibilities with a clarity that has long been wanting.”
Under this new direction, the provincial fisheries authority is expected to shift its focus toward creating local fish markets and providing poppers for small-scale fisherfolks.
Additionally, the board is tasked with building strategic networks with the five major canneries and loining plants to boost employment and economic spinoffs, while placing a much heavier emphasis on training within local TVET and SME activities.
Governor Paita will specifically task the incoming Kayanga board to resolve the long-standing management of fisheries assets and land without further delay, with a particular focus on the properties located at the Malahang Industrial Centre.
Responding on behalf of the newly appointed board, Mr. Nablu firmly stated that the Authority is not a body of convenience but a statutory authority with legal weight and obligation.
He assured the public that the board members are fully committed to executing the development vision laid out by Governor Paita and the Provincial Executive Council.
Mr. Nablu spoke with evident confidence regarding the board’s composition, highlighting the deep industry knowledge, export expertise, international perspective, and rich local experience available around the table.
“We have the right people in the right place,” Mr. Nablu said. “And now we have the roadmap. We are here to get things done, and we will bring home the result that the government expects.”
In closing, he thanked Mr. Kayanga, Governor Rainbo Paita, and the Provincial Executive Council for their trust, pledging that it would be repaid with absolute integrity, transparency, and accountability.
