Modern Fisheries facilities for Lungi
The Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Dr. Soccoh Kabia has disclosed plans by Government to construct a modern fish landing site cluster (jetty) at Konakridee and cold storage facility close to the Lungi International Airport in the Kafu Bullom Chiefdom, Portloko District. (Photo: Dr. Kabia,( Left) and entourage inspecting one of the sites)
The project which will be supported by the World Bank funded West Africa Regional Fisheries Programme (WARFP) under the Ministry of Fisheries will include the construction of a twelve kilometer road from Konakridee to Lungi Airport.
Addressing stakeholders in the Chiefdom, Dr. Kabia said the purpose of their visit was to identify and evaluate the condition of the proposed project sites and appealed to the local authorities to expedite the acquisition process of lands for the construction of the facilities.
The Minister also described the visit as a prelude to a proposed pre-bid conference that would assess the environmental impact of the projects. He said the initiative is in fulfillment of President Koroma’s Agenda for Change through which his ministry has succeeded in implementing a number of reforms such as the enforcement of regulations that deals with Illegal, Unreported Fishing, and declaration of Marine Protected Areas. He entreated the fishing communities to renounce illegal fishing methods and revealed plans to provide newly acquired fishing nets free of charge for all those whose illegal fishing nets were confiscated by Government.
The Acting Director of Fisheries, Hotanga Arnold Robbie said the projects would enhance export, add value to fish products, reduce post-harvest losses and promote the Artesanal Fisheries sector which produces the largest percentage of fish for local consumption. He appealed for cooperation from the beneficiaries to enhance the successful implementation of the projects.
The National Coordinator of The West Africa Regional Fisheries Programme, WARFP, and Dr. Sallieu Sankoh said the proposed projects serve as vital components of the WARFP whose aim is to ensure an effective and efficient fisheries industry.
Welcoming the team, PC Bai Seboreh Seba Gbereh III of Kaffu Bullom Chiefdom, described the initiative as a demonstration of government’s desire to promote development in his chiefdom and promised to do his utmost to ensure that the project is successfully implemented.
Representatives of the fisher folks in the chiefdom and other senior officials of the fisheries ministry, including the focal persons for Illegal Fishing, and Governance,MBUCole and Sheku Sei also made meaningful contributions.
By A. Max Konneh, Press Officer, MFMR
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