By Victor Akinkuolie, Ado-Ekiti
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National Fish Association of Nigeria (NFAN) has called on the Federal Government to help in tackling the national disasters affecting the association.
The National Secretary of the association, Chief Chidike Ukoh made the call during the 13th meeting of its national council on Industry, Trade and Investment held in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti state capital.
The National Secretary, Ukoh solicited for federal government’s assistance challenges of the 2020 advent of COVID-19 pandemic and the lock down as it urged government to focus more attention on the provisions of adequate security for fisheries and aquaculture industry operators along Nigeria’s coastal lines and lake chad basin of the country.
He called for the establishment of integrated fish processing centers at each of the six geo-political zones as pilot to mitigate post harvest losses, subsidize local feed production and fabrication of simple tools.
Also, that a special funding scheme be created for micro, small and medium enterprises in the fish value chain as grant or loans with farmers friendly at low interest rate.
Ukoh who Described Nigeria as the largest producer of catfish in Africa, declared fish feed production in fisheries as essential in aquaculture business saying that about 60-70 percent cost of fish production is expended on feeds alone.
While speaking on the theme: “MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA” Ukoh expressed his commitment in ensuring that the policy direction of Government is achieved, sustained and expanded to benefits the stakeholders.
