By COURTNEY MIRUPASI
MANAGING Director of the National Agriculture and Quarantine Inspection Authority (NAQIA) Joel Alu is concerned that the African Swine Fever (ASF) may return with the expected increase of transportation and consumption of pigs in the upcoming National General Elections(NGE).
Speaking to the media after the launching of the LabCap PNG project last week, he said that the work NAQIA and its partners have done to contain ASF in parts of the country will be tested during the election period.
“We believe we can eradicate ASF, but we just need support from our partners. This year is election period and everybody will look for pigs in the highlands, and we will ensure our protocols are followed. Your pig must be in the pen for 14 days before you release it, you can’t have truckloads of pigs moving from Enga to Western Highlands to Jiwaka without first following this protocol. We will maintain our existing road blocks during elections.” He said that they have been asking for funding and spoke to several politicians over the years but to no avail.
He was grateful that partners such as the Australian Government continued to support NAQIA financially because funding has always been an issue.
“The Australian Government has committed a lot of money in that K7.1 million (AUD2.7 million) and it is sufficient for the LabCap project but in terms of sustainability in the long term it will not be enough. We did a budget submission to the government for this year but there was no allocation done.”
He said that usually the Government would allocate K500,000 for the year but they have not, so they rely on the 50% increase in their fees and charges that the Minister for Finance has allowed.
“For example if we want to export a particular product overseas that is K140, half of that is K70, so the total cost goes up to K210 in which we collect. So that is an example of what we retain, and are able to manage and fund ourselves. About 300- plus staff in 22 locations, we are able to manage it without much government assistance compared to other government and state-owned entities that spend ridiculous amounts from a surplus budget, we at NAQIA cannot afford to do that.”
He said that with this costs collected and the continued support from donor partners such as Australia, NAQIA will continue to carry out its functions and maintain its efforts in continuing to monitor ASF in the country ahead of elections.