Godwin Haruna
14 October 2008
Lagos — The Rivers State Government has approved the construction of 1000 tons of cold-rooms in strategic locations in its readiness to establish fish farms across the state.
The state governor Mr. Chibuike Rotimi Ameachi said this during the fish harvest of the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA) at Ekporo in Eleme and Kalio-Ama in Okrika Local Government Areas of the state.
According to a statement from the Agency signed by Mr. Morgan Chiosome, the governor, represented by the Special Adviser on aquaculture and deep sea fishing, Mr. Kuro Briggs, said the initiative is aimed at massive empowerment of the people.
He explained the importance government attaches to aquaculture and deep sea fishing and urged the people of Ekporo, Ebubu and Kalio-Ama to take the programme seriously, saying "it will help eradicate poverty in the area".
He implored them to guard against theft and vandalisation of government facilities in their areas and commended the RSSDA for the innovation.
Also speaking, the Managing Director, Alliance for Community Transformation (ACT) Mrs. Agnes Ajana said the proposal for the establishment of fish farms across the state was submitted in 2006.
She stressed that two fish farms were suggested, but the State government, desirous of empowering the people, approved ten; pointing out that apart from the Ekporo, Ebubu and Kailo-Ama fish farms, others will be opened at Akabuka, Ahoada, Elele, and Oyigbo.
The director further explained that ACT in conjunction with the RSSDA is out to ensure that every community in the state has a fish farm in its backyard.
Earlier, the Executive Director of RSSDA, Mr. Bolaji Ogunseye, represented by Ola Kalio, disclosed that the agency will partner with communities in the development of programmes that will bring lasting benefit to the state. He emphasised that the issues of feeds for the fishes and provision of accommodation will be looked into and commended the communities for the support.
In her speech Mrs. Iro Altraide traced the origin of the Songhai farm project to Benin Republic stressing that the Rivers State Government is bringing the benefits of the farm to the State.
Altraide, who is in charge of the Songhai farm programme in the agency, listed some of its benefits to include food crop, fish and Livestock production as well as food processing.
She said the farm would not only provide training facilities for other farms in the area and parts of the state but create development and urged the people to embrace the initiative.
In separate speeches, the Chairman of Egbeke-Nwuba Land Donor Association, Mr. Stephen Ukegbu, and Community Development Chairman of Bunu-Tai, Mr. Ozime Ndukue, thanked the Agency for choosing the communities as hosts of the project.
In a swift move to kick start the proposed farming initiative; the Rivers State Government has donated the school to Land Authority farms at Egbeke and Nwuba in Etche and Bunu Tai and Banghi in Tai Local Government areas to the RSSDA for the project.
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