Fed. Gov Hails Gov. Kefas' Fisheries, Aquaculture Policy, Seeks Dedicated Ministry

By Nick Yashi

The Acting National President, Fisheries Cooperative Federation of Nigeria (FCFN), Mashi Gabriel Sani, has expressed the Federation's appreciation to the Taraba State governor, Agbu Kefas, for his deliberate recognition of fisheries and aquaculture as a sector capable of creating thousands of jobs and reducing unemployment in the state.

Sani, who is the National Coordinator of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Value Chain Database Capture Programme (NFAVCDCP), made the declaration on Friday in Jalingo during a press briefing.

Represented by the Chairperson, Taraba Fisheries and Aquaculture Cooperative Union, Mrs Esther Solomon, Sani acknowledged the vast natural potentials of the state.

He also regretted that those resources have not been fully harnessed, even as farmers have had to contend with high costs of inputs.

"This declaration is significant because Taraba is naturally endowed with rivers, lakes, dams and wetlands, yet these resources have not been adequately developed to their full economic potential.

"For many years, fisheries and aquaculture have received insufficient attention and investment. Fish farmers, fisher folk, processors, traders, women and young people continue to face challenges including the high cost of feed, inadequate fingerlings, limited access to finance, poor processing and cold-chain infrastructure, weak extension services and limited market opportunities," Sani stated.

He therefore welcomed the governor's indication to "develop strategic measures to harness its aquatic resources for fisheries, food security, processing, employment and community livelihoods" in 2027.

He disclosed that the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy has constituted a Technical Committee on Accelerating Fish Production in Nigeria, aimed at identifying practical measures to increase fish production, strengthen the value chain and create employment.

"I am particularly honoured to serve as a member of that Federal Technical Committee as a son of Taraba State and as Ag. National President of FCFN.

"I intend to use this opportunity to ensure that Taraba's fisheries potential and the challenges confronting our fish farmers and fisher folk are properly represented at the national level.

"As FCFN, we are proposing that Taraba should develop a Fisheries and Aquaculture Development Programme from 2027, including a comprehensive fisheries master plan, fisheries and aquaculture database, input and hatchery centres, aquaculture clusters, fish processing and cold-chain facilities, access to finance, and special programmes for women and youth," he added.

The Federation also strongly recommended a dedicated Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture or a properly empowered State Fisheries and Aquaculture Development Agency to give the sector the institutional attention it deserves.

"Taraba has water resources. Taraba has the people. Taraba has the opportunity. What we need now is deliberate investment, proper coordination and sustained government support.

"If properly developed, fisheries and aquaculture can become one of the major pillars of Taraba's economy, creating thousands of direct and indirect jobs while improving food security, household incomes and rural livelihoods.

"We are ready to work with the Taraba State Government, the Federal Government, development partners, investors, financial institutions and our cooperative members to transform this vision into practical results.

"Fisheries can feed Taraba. Fisheries can employ Taraba. Fisheries can help diversify Taraba's economy. The time to invest in Taraba's fisheries and aquaculture sector is now," he concluded.