Gov Sule Decries Fish Shortage As Nasarawa Holds Festival

The second edition of the Nasarawa State fishing festival was held in Feferruwa community of Assakio, Lafia local government area of the state yesterday.

Speaking on challenges and solutions of fisheries and aquaculture, Governor Abdullahi  Sule said the festival would help to create an enabling environment for practical aquaculture and agriculture in general.

The governor expressed concern over the shortage of fish across the state with the consequent effect on the nutritional needs of the people.

He said the situation had affected the income and livelihood of people who depend on fish for their sustenance.

He promised to ensure that the challenges being faced by fishermen in the state would soon be addressed.

Represented the special adviser on special duties (agriculture), Muhammad Iyimoga-Oyigye, Governor Sule said the state government was already taking measures to address the situation with the empowerment of fishing communities in Doma local government with  25,000 fingerlings.

“Let me use this opportunity to assure all the residents that the Nasarawa State government is fully interested in food security. And since availability of fish is part of food security,  you all can be assured that we will do everything possible to ensure that there is adequate fish for consumption in the state.

The permanent secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Umaru Abdullahi, commended the governor for steps aimed at addressing the fish shortage in the state.

He said the state government had commenced the revitalisation of dams and rivers with heterotis fish species starting with the Doma Dam, adding that the project would be replicated across the state.

He said the project would greatly help reduce the hardship being faced by fishermen in the state.