By Nazario Rodriguez Jr.
Horizon news staff

House Vice Speaker Okada Techitong said this week that the aquaculture project of Ngatpang State, particularly the ‘bangus’ (milkfish) industry, has been heavily affected by the upcoming closure of Palau Maritime International Corporation (PMIC).
Ngatpang supplies PMIC with milkfish fry for tuna bait but Techitong said PMIC, which is one of the four biggest foreign fishing companies operating in the country, stopped operations about two weeks ago.
"They are now auctioning all their properties and products including office equipment," said Techitong during an interview at his office in the Capitol last Wednesday.
Horizon tried to contact Danilo F. Celis, PMIC’s chief Operating Officer, but he was unavailable for comments.
An office staff referred us to the company’s legal counsel, Johnson Toribiong, but who left on Tuesday night for Taiwan, where he is Palau’s Ambassador there. He is expected to be back on Sunday.
Techitong said that based on information he has gathered the upcoming closure might have something to with litigation matters and shift of management.
Techitong said that a meeting was held yesterday among Ngatpang private individuals and government officials to resolve some issues regarding this problem.
Ngatpang State is now looking at the possibility of tapping the other fishing companies, Palau International Trading Inc. and Kuniyoshi Fishing Companies if they are interested to take over the supply.