The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola, has emphasized the significant potential of Nigeria's fishing industry, suggesting that it could rival the oil sector if properly harnessed. He made these remarks during a stakeholders' engagement with fishing trawlers held in Lagos.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Oloruntola Olufemi, Oyetola acknowledged the crucial role of fish trawler owners in the Nigerian economy, including providing food nutrition, creating jobs, and contributing to economic growth. He emphasized the need for sustainable development in the Marine and Blue Economy, highlighting the importance of collaboration between the government and stakeholders in the fishing trawler business.
The minister noted that President Bola Tinubu established the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and its Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture to enhance trade, signaling growth and progress in the fisheries sector. He expressed the ministry's vision to lead fisheries and aquaculture towards a prosperous and sustainable future.
Oyetola urged fishing trawler owners to collaborate with the ministry to refine their operations in line with the recent seminar sponsored by the African Union in Abuja. He outlined the ministry's target to invest in and refine the framework to support the growth of the fishing industry.
In her remarks, the President of the Fishing Trawlers Association of Nigeria (FTAN), Mrs. Ben Okonkwo, highlighted the challenges facing the fisheries sub-sector, including pirate attacks, difficulties in accessing forex transactions, and the high cost of diesel. She emphasized the need for government intervention to address these challenges and prevent the decline of the fishing business in Nigeria.
Other stakeholders, including the Managing Director of Karflex Fisheries, Mrs. Mareenna Samuel, and the Managing Director of Atlantic Shrimpers Ltd., Mr. Kamiesh Kabra, echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the need for government support to revive the fishing industry.
In response, the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereore, reassured stakeholders of the government's commitment to creating a conducive atmosphere for the industry to flourish. He affirmed the minister's dedication to achieving progress in transforming the industry by the end of 2024.
