Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP), East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) government, and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), concurred on establishing a team for combating marine pollution and damage in the province’s waters.

“This is good synergy and commitment among the central government, the regional government, and the international non-government organization (NGO) in accelerating the handling of pollution in NTT,” acting Director General of Marine and Fishery Resources Supervision, Antam Novambar, noted in a press release here on Saturday.

Antam revealed that the three agencies had agreed on forming the team at a meeting on June 23.

Formation of the team is part of the implementation of the Arafura and Timor Seas Ecosystem Approach Phase II (ATSEA-2) Program.

The government has, in fact, mulled over the formation of the team since June 2020.

Antam noted that a series of technical meetings, facilitated by UNDP, were organized by involving agencies of the central and local governments, including the coordinating ministry for maritime affairs and investment, environmental affairs and forestry ministry (KLHK), Ministry of Transportation, and NTT officials.

“Hopefully, with this team, we would be able to respond quickly and accurately in handling pollution. This team will comprise elements of cross-sectoral offices of the local government with assistance from the central government,” he remarked.

KKP ministry’s Fisheries Supervisor, Matheus Eko Rudianto, noted that the team would swiftly be at the forefront in addressing various on-field problems.

The team will begin working by drafting an Action Plan for Pollution Control and Supervision.

“We will start by making preparations for the Action Plan. This will be the first pilot project for the region that has a pollution control scheme,” the ministry’s main expert explained.

Meanwhile, the KKP ministry’s Director of Supervision for the Management of Marine Resources, Halid K. Jusuf, emphasized that the regional government should prepare an instrument for controlling marine pollution.

“Regional regulations are required to strengthen pollution control and supervision,” Jusuf affirmed.

Source: ANTARA News