Society

To boost activities: Gov’t, Japanese Embassy donate fishing equipment to Kribi artisanal fishermen.

Dr Taiga handing over fishing equipment to fisherman

Some artisanal fishermen in Kribi, Ocean Division of the South Region, have received fishing equipment geared towards boosting their activities and improving their livelihood.

The fishermen under the banner of Kribi Community Fishing Centre, CECOPAK, were beneficiaries of a consignment of materials donated by both the governments of Cameroon and Japan through its embassy in Yaounde. The donation exercise took place at the Ngoye Beach last Saturday September 7.

The ceremony was chaired by the Minister of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries, Dr Taiga in the presence of the Charge d’Affaire of the Japanese Embassy in Cameroon, Aoki Shun.

The Governor of the South Region, Felix Nguele Nguele and a host of administrative, municipal and traditional authorities also graced the ceremony.

The consignment from the Japanese government included a pick-up vehicle, an ice production unit, a generator and 35 speed boats of 15 horse power while the consignment from Cameroonian government included 45 canoes, 90 paddles and 10 speed boats

Speaking during the ceremony, Dr Taiga said the gifts to artisanal fishermen obtained through the Public Investment Budget, is part of government’s drive toward implementing the import substitution policy.

He also called on the actors of the fishery sector to redouble their effort as they play a vital part in government’s food security plan.

Some CECOPAK members line up behind donated materials

While disclosing that the gifts have been donated within the framework of the implementation of the economic and social development programme, the minister also hailed the government of Japan for her immense contribution to the development of the country in economic, social, health and infrastructure sector.

While cutting the symbolical ribbon to inaugurate the ice production unit constructed by the Japanese government, the member of government urged the fishermen to make judicious use of the equipment donated for their emancipation.

The Minister of Livestock Fisheries and Animal Industries then proceeded with the supervision of testing of the speed boats on the high sea.

On their part, the fishermen pledged to make profitable use of the materials and equipment put at their disposal to cause a reduction in the prices of fishes in the local market.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post issue N0:3227 of Thursday September 12, 2024