By Julie Badui Owa – EMTV News, Lae
The Managing Director for National Fisheries Authority (NFA), John Kasu officially opened the National Food Testing and Monitoring Centre today in Lae.
The centre is an entity set by NFA in partnership with the PNG University of Technology through the Department of Applied Science. The facility is funded by NFA at a cost of K4.6 million that consists of a microbiology lab, a chemical analysis lab and an administration block.
National Fisheries Authority Managing Director, John Kasu said NFA has funded this facility to meet the increasing demand for the fisheries sector.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in 2014 between NFA and Unitech for the establishment of this centre, with an initial funding of K3.6 million for three years. With an additional fund of K1 million this year by NFA, bringing the total to K4.6 million, the University managed to renovate two labs of the Department of Applied Science. The funds also include the installation of these equipment for testing samples.
The purpose of the centre is to provide critical tests on samples including water, food and environmental and industrial samples.
The Centre will carry out research and provide advice on issues identified by fisheries and allied industries.
Mr. Kasu added that the MoU also includes provisions for developing human resource through research and training.
