Makassar, S Sulawesi (ANTARA News) - Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Fadel Muhammad arrived in Makassar, South Sulawesi, on Monday for a working visit.

Fadel made the working visit to meet his promise, made to South Sulawesi Governor Syahrul Yasin Limpo at a meeting in Jakarta on August 19, 2010.

On the occasion, the minister inspected the construction process of Makassar's Nusantara Fish Port at Untia sub-district, where Governor Syahrul expressed hope that the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries would follow up the construction of the Nusantara Fish Port.

The governor said the construction of the fish port started four years ago but to date it had yet to be completed, and thus he asked for explanation if it was still strategic to be continued.

Syahrul said one of the most important thing to do in the construction of the fish port was the road access to the port at Untia sub-district whose population were mostly fishermen.

Since the past 12 years, the fishermen village at Untia sub-district on Lae-lae island has been untouched by infrastructure development.

He said Minister Fadel also expressed his deep concern about present condition of the fish port and promised to coordinate its development with Public Works Ministry.

Governor Syahrul said a good cooperation of related ministries was expected to speed up the completion of the port to support the local fishermen's economy.

In his working visit, the fisheries minister was also expected to obtain first hand information about the improvement in the marine and fisheries commodity production in South Sulawesi. 
(T.O001/S012)