THE proposed Bina Harbour Tuna Processing Plan development project is at risk due to the government’s decision to cut the Fisheries development budget for 2017.

Responding to questions asked by Hon Mathew Wale during the Public Account Committee meeting last month, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources Dr Chris Ramofafia declared the budget for the Bina Tuna Processing Plant development as ‘unfit’.

He said the budget allocation for the 2017 Bina development is very small and that the project is at risk though special submission was presented to the cabinet to reverse their decision on the huge decrease to the Fisheries development budget.

“This is the very reason we submit a request for the cabinet to reconsider their decision when they cut our development budget,” Dr Chris said.

He stressed that the Ministry had asked the Cabinet to allocate a budget of $10 million to kick off the Bina Harbour Tuna Processing Plant project.

Dr Chris said $10 million is reasonable to kick start the project next year, an activity which would include ground work and initial implementation of Bina programme.

He said the project will go through a number of phases and this is where the government failed to make consideration on its decision making.

“We cannot build the Tuna Processing Plant next year, this project will go through phases and that 10 million for a start is reasonable.

“Our plan is to establish a Project Management Office in Auki and that the 10 million will cover the new office establishment,” Dr Chris explained.

Meanwhile Hon Wale agrees that the budget of $4.5million allocation for development of proposed Bina Tuna Processing Plant is questionable.

He said Bina Project is ready to roll given that landowners have given the green light for the project to continue but such decision will be a huge setback for the much awaiting project.

The Ministry had submitted an initial development budget of $62 million but the government has cut the figure to only $26.7 million.