Stories by John Oba
Abuja
The federal government is set to purchase two monitoring vessels to curb unregulated fishing and boost security on the waterways.
This is even as Nigeria paid the sum of $200,000 to the Committee for West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC) with a promise to settle the outstanding amount.
The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo disclosed this at the 10th Annual Ministrial Conference of the Fisheries FCWC, held in Abuja last Friday.
Osinbajo revealed that the safety of the nation’s waterways remained a key priority to the current administration.
He reiterated the current administration’s determination to reduce fish importation into the country, saying the efforts are already yielding significant results even as he added that in 2017, local fish production increased from 450, 000 metric tons from early January to 1.1 million metric tons.
“The safety of Nigeria maritime is also a principal concern to us, President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the purchase of some patrol vessels for the department of fishery which would be managed with the collaboration of the Nigerian Navy. These vessels will boost the research and rescue capacities of the relevant security agencies, deter illegal fishing and help secure our vessels at sea.
“In the north east of Nigeria where Boko Haram has devastated the fishery industry which supply most of the west African states. Earlier this year, president Buhari approve establishment of Lake Chad Naval Base to boost security and fastrack the restoration of the livelihood in that zone.
“Theme of this conference which is to invest in the growth and sustainability of fishery in west Africa, it is important even in term of sharing the experience and lay aspiration for the economic wellbeing of our people. Our effort to reduce fish import and increase local fish production by encouraging the private sectors to invest in the aquaculture is yielding positive result. In the domestic fish production for example, in the last two years has increased from 450,000 metric tonnes to 1.1million metric tonnes, and we hope this growth we be exponential,” he added.
Osinbajo, emphasised the need to support the regional aquaculture industry describing it as efficient employer of labour.
He stressed that as part of commitments from the federal government to support the fisheries committee, a sum of $200, 000 have been paid to the FCWC while the outstanding will be provided shortly.
In his opening remarks, Chairman of the conference, James Kollie urged the participants to explore opportunities that will enhance fishery resources in the region in a sustainable manner.
According to him, the potentials of fishery goes beyond resources found in the maritime environment but reliable employer of labour.
Kollie, who is the Liberian Minister of Fishery added that, “Fish is not only a source of animal protection for more than 375 million people in West Africa, it is also a viable economic resource that provides employment and livelihood for over 100 million people in the region.”
The Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Heineken Lokpobiri advised participants to take seriously issues relating to effective management of fishery resources.
He acknowledged that the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing deserves collected efforts which should be sustained.
However, Lokpobiri lauded the FCWC Secretary General for the conference theme titled, “Investment for Growth and Sustainability in Fisheries in West Africa.”
Participants at the conference included representatives from Benin, Cote d’ voire, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria and Togo. Others are African Union, European Union and Economic Community of West Africa State (ECOWAS).
