Wewak tuna plant building to start soon
Copyright 2000 The National (PNG)
November 14, 2000
By JOHN APAMI
CONSTRUCTION of the multi million kina Wewak tuna processing plant will start early next year.
The Investment Promotion Authority in its monthly Trade & Business update stated that the cannery is the largest single investment in the province since 1975.
The project is anticipated to revive the hopes of the people for more development and boost their standard of living.
It will encourage employment and other spin-off businesses, the IPA bulletin said.
A sub-lease title is being finalised by the PNG Harbours Board and the construction of the lining plant is expected to start next month.
The plant will be near the main wharf and is away from the its original site at Yasaworo, a few kilometres out of Wewak.
The decision to relocate the plant closer to the main wharf was made following the infrastructural inadequacy of the Yawasoro site including road networking, water, electricity and soil foundations.
The cannery, however, will remain at Yawasoro.
Project co-ordinator Joachim Nianguma said the construction of the lining plant is estimated at K23 million.
American company, Todd Construction of California will arrive next month to start work on the project.
Two local companies have been engaged to assist in the earth moving and drainage work. The cannery is to be fully operational by 2002 at a total cost of about K50 million.
PNG at present has two operating tuna processing factories, RD Tuna cannery located in Madang and Lae.