Wednesday 14 December 2011

Ministry of Marine and Fisheries: SHIP ASSISTANCE PROGRAM HIGHLY TRANSPARENT

        The Ministry of Marine and Fisheries performs restructuring of fishing fleets, including constructing of lnka Mina vessel in 2010. Construction of the ship is based on budget submission (DIPA) where tender process id done through planning and supervisory consultant and realization of physical construction of ship. We are wiling to be monitored by anyone, including the press and non-governmental institutions. This is an era of transparency and ship construction process. Let the public report to us if there is an indication of violation, Balok Budiyanto, Director of Fishing Vessels and Fishing Gears of Ministry of Marine and Fisheries, told Business News.

        The restructuring program is not independent from the realization of three development pillars, namely pro poor, pro job, and pro growth. Construction of fishing vessel with a capacity of over 30 GT is intended to increase productivity of fishermen fishing boats. Fishermen welfare is the emphasis of the program. United States President, Obama, is willing to donate Rp 6 trillions for poverty elimination in Indonesia. So, we must be more responsive in eliminating poverty.

     The construction of fishing boats is initiated by the Central Java Governor in a meeting with Indonesian President. Governors all over Indonesia in February 2-3, 2010 at the Cipanas Palace, agreed to submit proposal for ship assistance. The capacity of the ship proposed is of a capacity of over 30 GT so that catch rate will be optimal. President Susilo Bambang Yudhonono responded positively and followed-up with 1,000 units of ship assistance from 2010 to 2014. The result has not been 100% evident, as until now, the program has been going on for only a year. Business feasibility will be apparent in 3-4 years.

         Based on monitoring and evaluation of the program, it is recorded that 41 ships have been operating, and 39 out of them have submitted production data. Two ships in Manokwari Regency and Sorong Municipality not yet submitted production data as they are still on the seas. While, five ships are not yet optimal as they are awaiting completion of document, including fishing license (SIPI). But ships which are awaiting completion of document, including fishing license (SIPI). But ships which are already operating, such as in Indramayu, have successfully increased their catch rate. All fishermen earn an income has increased to Rp 4 millions perform an inspection and hear directly from Joint Business Group (KUB) of Fishermen and Indonesian Fishermen Association (HNSI).

          Five ships that have not been operating as of November 2011 is because they not yet obtained SIPI for ships with a capacity of 30 GT. Operational delay occurs in Kota Baru Regency, South Kalimantan; Ende Regency, East Nusa Tenggara; Southeast Maluku Regency, Merauke Regency, Papua; and Pesisir Selatan Regency, West Sumatera. In addition to SIPI, fishermen are waiting for the completion of process of ship documentation arrangement by other institutions, such as measurement certificate, dead of ship registration (grosse akta), and nayigation equipment. Meanwhlie, fishermen in Pesisir Selatan Regency are facing operational cost problem. Regarding operational cost problem, they will partner with other businessmen. But, it does not mean transfer of ships to the businessmen. With the partnership, fishermen will obtain capital for operations. And, the catch can be sold to the businessmen concerned.

         The restructuring program has mobilized 46 ships up to November 2011, and 39 ships among them have submitted production data. The number will continue to increase, and it is predicted to in crease to 60 ships by end of 2011. The ship construction program is already in accordance with Presidential Instruction No. 01/2010 on Acceleration of Implementation of National Development Priority of 2010. Provision of 30-40 GT ships is funded by APBN-P of 2010. Meanwhile, allocation to regions and budget for ship provision highly depend on readiness of the regions concerned. The central government, in this case the Ministry of Marine and Fisheries, only allocates the budget. The cost of one ship reaches around Rp 1.5 billions which is used for construction of ship’s hull, engine, fishing gears, devices, equipment, consulting service, and cost of administration. The central government allocates the budget, and the technical matters are handled by the regional government.

          The mechanism of allocation of ship construction is proposal from Head of Provincial, Regental/Municipal Fisheries and Marine Agency to the Central Government, Afterwards, the Central Government allocates budget to work units (saker) of Provincial, Regental/Municipal Fisheries and Marine Agency. The Agency recruits planning and supervisory consultant on ship construction in accordance with fishing gears required by fishermen. Requirements of candidate ship operator are, amongst others, establishment of Joint Business Unit (KUB) or Fishermen Cooperatives KUB must have experience in ship operation.

           Hendra Pudiansyah from Indonesian Fishermen Association (HNSI) stated that the ship assistance program has been oriented toward bottom-up system. The government has accommodated aspirations of fishermen and coastal communities. Designation of location has been based on some points which are significant for improvement of welfare of fishermen. Considerations, like availability of fish resources, fisherman density, availability of seaports or fishermen centers, and other. Fishery centers can be used for place of mooring of ships with a capacity of over 30 GT, Hendra told Business News.

           And, there is also priority for minapolitan area so that the beneficiary target will not be missed considering that fishermen has formed a KUB or fishermen of fishing vessels and shall be able to take good care of the vessels.   

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