Emmanuel Awari, Jalingo
As the 2027 elections continue to draw closer, more organizations, unions, cooperative Societies amongst others, have continued to drum support for the re- election of Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas for second term.
The Fisheries cooperative federation of Nigeria (FCFN), has joined other Unions in endorsing Governor Dr Agbu Kefas for second term come 2027 elections.
Mr. Mashi Gabriel Sani, Ag. National President of the Fisheries Cooperative Federation of Nigeria (FCFN), and National Coordinator of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Value Chain Database Capture Programme (NFAVCDCP), Mr. Mashi Gabriel, represented by Christopher Naganti Gana, made its position known while briefing Journalists in Jalingo.
He expressed his profound appreciation to the Governor for his deliberate recognition of fisheries and aquaculture as a sector capable of creating thousands of jobs and reducing unemployment in the state.
According to him, Taraba is naturally endowed with rivers, lakes, dams and wetlands, yet these resources have not been adequately developed to their full economic potential.
“For many years, fisheries and aquaculture have received insufficient attention and investment.
“Fish farmers, fisherfolk, processors, traders, women and young people continue to face challenges including the high cost of feed, inadequate fingerlings, limited access to finance, poor processing and cold-chain infrastructure, weak extension services and limited market opportunities.We believe that this must change.
He welcomed the Governor’s indication that, from 2027, the State will develop strategic measures to harness its aquatic resources for fisheries, food security, processing, employment and community livelihoods.
Mr. Sani disclosed that at the Federal level, there is also a new opportunity, adding that the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy has constituted a Technical Committee on Accelerating Fish Production in Nigeria, aimed at identifying practical measures to increase fish production, strengthen the value chain and create employment.
“I am particularly honoured to serve as a member of that Federal Technical Committee as a son of Taraba State and as Ag. National President of FCFN.
He used the opportunity to ensure that Taraba’s fisheries potential and the challenges confronting fish farmers and fisherfolk are properly represented at the national level.
“As FCFN, we are proposing that Taraba should develop a Fisheries and Aquaculture Development Programme from 2027, including a comprehensive fisheries master plan, fisheries and aquaculture database, input and hatchery centres, aquaculture clusters, fish processing and cold-chain facilities, access to finance, and special programmes for women and youth,” he said.
“We also strongly recommend consideration of a dedicated Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture or a properly empowered State Fisheries and Aquaculture Development Agency to give the sector the institutional attention it deserves.
“Our message today is simple: Taraba has the water resources. Taraba has the people. Taraba has the opportunity. What we need now is deliberate investment, proper coordination and sustained government support.
“If properly developed, fisheries and aquaculture can become one of the major pillars of Taraba’s economy, creating thousands of direct and indirect jobs while improving food security, household incomes and rural livelihoods.
“We are ready to work with the Taraba State Government, the Federal Government, development partners, investors, financial institutions and our cooperative members to transform this vision into practical results,” he stated.
The Ag. National President further disclosed that Fisheries can feed, employ and help diversify Taraba’s economy, adding that time to invest in Taraba’s fisheries and aquaculture sector is now.
He pointed out areas that the Governor Kefas has improved on to include, Security and Education.
“In the past, our members can’t go to fishing due to insecurity. Some of them go, but never returned, but with the coming of Governor Kefas, our members go to fishing and back to their homes.
“On Education, we appreciate Governor Kefas for his free Education policy, The load on many parents have reduced. The government pays half while parents pay the balance in our Tertiary Institutions.
“We want to categorically say that we are endorsing the Governor for the second term,” he added.
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