FG races to address annual 3m tons of fish deficit

From Okwe Obi, Abuja

The Federal Government has promised to support the National Fish Association of Nigeria (NFAN) to address the annual 3 million tonnes of fish deficit.

While the government charged NFAN executives to remain resolute in the business as it would continue to provide support for them, it equally encouraged its leadership to promote unity, transparency and accountability in the discharge of its functions.

Director of Commodities and Export Department, Ministry of Industries,Trade and Investment, Usman Bokani, made the pledge at the presentation of NFAN elected executives in Abuja.

Bokani, represented by a Deputy Director, Felicia Udeh, said: “The National Fish Association of Nigeria occupies an important position in the commodity subsector. Representing stakeholders involved in fish production, processing, marketing, distribution, value addition and trade.

“It is therefore important to have a well-organized association. And without being told, merely looking at you all, it’s a fact that the organization is well-organized. And I pray that it’s being sustained. It is worthy of note that this association was nurtured by us.

“We formed you people, and ever since we have been supporting in whichever way we can. One of the mandates of the Federal Government is to give enabling environment in the area of policies or one or two other things that are necessary. You as an association, you push forward and when you need our assistance and feel that the government can intervene. Strive more in terms of policies that will be beneficiary to your association.

“So based on that note, we want to welcome you once again. I therefore wish to commend this association for the successful conduct of your recent election.”

NFAN President, Dr. Ladan Aliyu, complained that imported fish species such as titus, mackerel, and sardine, are bought with dollars thus affecting the value of the Naira, and forcing marketers to hike the prices.

Aliyu stated that Nigeria requires three million metric tonnes of fish annually, but decried that it only produces less than that with importation bridging the gap.

“If you look at the one we farm, it is cheaper than the one they bring in now. Initially it was, yes. The issue is that because of the exchange rate.

“When you exchange them we have some, you know, the value of our currency. So that is why we are having such issues. But apart from that, it is the cheapest protein you can find.

“We need about 300,000 metric tonnes of fish. Yes, that is what we require. But for now we are not producing even one quarter of it. And the importation brings in half of that quarter. Then we have another gap that we need to cover, the quarter of it,” he said.

Also, NFAN Deputy President, Adewale Adeogun, added that the high cost of titus fish was not peculiar to Nigeria but a global snag.

According to Adeogun, the world prices are skyrocketing but expressed hope that the government would initiate policies to crash the price.

The representative of the Federation of Agricultural Commodity Associations of Nigeria, FACAN, Isaac Ojonugwa, hailed new executives, urging them to work with their predecessors and link members along the value chain for the growth of the sector.