Minister for Fisheries Semi Koroilavesau says there is no problem on extension services in the outer islands.

Koroilavesau was responding to a question raised by Opposition MP Mere Samisoni who asked the minister to explain if there are any plans to revive the extension services of the ministry to the maritime islands.

Koroilavesau said that he could not answer her question as they didn’t have anything to revitalize.

“You are asking for revival, then there must be an existing problem or suffocation within the extension services, there’s never been anything.”

Samisoni then clarified her question.

“My question is regarding to ice plants, in the islands we use to have ice plants, now there’s no ice plants, people don’t know where to go, I am just asking this question because the extension of economic zone, we’ve got a lot resources and today we need to be resource based.”

Koroilavesau replied that he will explain all the activities within the maritime islands if that’s Samisoni wanted.

“I would like to affirm to this house that the ministry of fisheries has continued to improve services to our maritime islands. Government has provided funds to establish two new fisheries stations, extensive stations in Cicia and Moala which are already under construction”

Opposition MP Tevita Niumataiwalu then asked the minister if they is any initiative to address the revitalization of the Wainikoro fishing cooperation located in the remote North-Eastern coast of Vanua Levu.

Koroilavesau says that the Wainikoro situation was because of mismanagement of funds and they are now working with them to assist them on a loan scheme.