East Sumba Prepares 5 Hectares of Land for SKPT Project

Kupang, E Nusa Tenggara (Antara NTT) - The District Administration of East Sumba of East Nusa Tenggara has prepared 5 hectares of land for Integrated Fisheries and Marine Center (SKPT) to be developed by the Marine and Fisheries Ministry.

"The land is prepared for a fish landing harbor and other infrastructure for the SKPT project of the Marine and Fisheries Ministry," Head of East Sumba District Gidion Mbilijora told Antara here on Saturday.

Gidion said the district administration supports the Ministry`s plan to build an SKPT in East Sumba.

East Sumba is one of two districts in East Nusa Tenggara to have SKPT, he said, adding the other one is the regency of Rote Ndao.

He said a team from the Ministry has come to meet him to discuss details in the implementation of the project.

"We already make a concrete plan that construction would start this year," he said, adding the SKPT will include not only fishing part but also fish breeding center, and fish processing plant and other infrastructure.

He said upon the completion of the SKPT, the central government will provide aid for local fishermen in the form of fishing boats, fishing gears and development of seaweed farms.

"The project, therefore, is important as regional budget would not be enough to significantly contribute to the welfare of the local fishermen," he said.

Head of the East Nusa Tenggara Marine and Fisheries Service Ganef Wurgiyanto said altogether, the ministry has decided to build around SKPT in 20 areas in Indonesia mainly in outermost areas of the country.

The program is in line with the decision of the Marine and Fishery Minister No.51 of 2016 on locations of Integrated Fisheries and Marine Centers in small islands and frontier areas on 27 September 2016.

"We in East Nusa Tenggara have two units - in Rote and East Sumba. The one if Rote is already under construction since last year," he said.