Gorontalo Governor Rusli Habibie disclosed Sunday that Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiasti is soon scheduled to launch a fishing vessel to be operated in his province.
“The schedule for the launch is being prepared. The vessel used to belong to foreign fishermen, was confiscated by the ministry and has been handed over to the Gorontalo provincial administration for repair,” Rusli said in Gorontalo as quoted by Antara news agency.
The governor said that the repair work had been completed, but it is still waiting for an operation license from the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries.
“The used vessel is from China. It was given to the Gorontalo administration for repair during the tenure of governor Fadel Muhammad,” he said, adding that its operation would be entrusted to a local administration-owned company. (hhr)