LAGOS EMPOWERS RURAL FISHERMEN DISTRIBUTES FISHING GEARS

The Lagos State Government has distributed fishing gears to fishermen co-operative societies in the Lagos East Senatorial District as part of its empowerment programme for the rural populace of the State.

 The Commissioner for Rural Development, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi represented by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Rural Development, Mr. Babatunde Hunpe while distributing the highly subsidized fishing gears at Okunfolu in Ibeju-Lekki said the State Government decided to give them out, towards the sustainability of artisanal fisheries in the rural areas of the state amongst other provisions to ensure constant availability of fresh fish at affordable prices.

 He noted that despite the fact that artisanal fisheries sub-sector contributes 70% to the total fish production in the state and that about 35% of the rural dwellers depend on artisanal fisheries as a means of livelihood, the artisanal fisheries sub-sector has been suffering series of set back over the years due to the  astronomical cost of fishing inputs, obnoxious fishing practices resulting in reduced  catches as well as non-availability of fuelling points near landing sites and exorbitant cost of fuelling which necessitated the government taking this step.

 Ojelabi disclosed that the State Government will be subsidizing the cost by 60% while the beneficiaries are expected to pay the remaining 40% spread over 24months.

 He charged them to make good use of the inputs and implore them to pay back promptly to encourage the State Government to continue the programme for the benefit of others.

 Earlier in his welcome address the Director Rural Agriculture in the Ministry, Mr. Habeeb Giwa said the State Government is supporting the fish industry because of the importance of fish in the diet of the people as well as a means of empowering the people.   

 While thanking the State Government for the gesture the Vice Chairman of Lekki LCDA, Hon. Dapo Salami thanked the Ministry for recognizing Okunfolu Community as a big fishing Community and bringing the programme there. He urged the State to bring more to the area as they are predominantly fishing and farming people.

 Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, the Chairman of Okunlape Youth fishermen cooperative society, Okunlape Mr. Akorede Odubote thanked the Government for remembering them as a fishing community that had brought so much glory to the State in the past and urged other Government agencies particularly Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives to bring more projects and fishing aids to their communities promising that the inputs would be judiciously used.

 The communities which benefitted from the gesture included Ifowosowopo fishermen cooperative society, Igboogun, Okunlape youth fishermen cooperative society, Okunlape and Temidire fishermen cooperative society, Mofogunde. Others are Kajola fishermen cooperative society Okunfolu and Okundola fishermen cooperative society Okunfolu.

 It will be recalled that the first phase of the distribution for fishermen in the Lagos West and Central Senatorial District of the State was done on the 9th of October last year with seven fishermen co-operative societies benefiting.

 Present at the ceremony were the Baale of Okunfolu, Chief Tajudeen Lawal, Baale of Afejina Larukan, Chief Esah Ogunorin, Baale of Igboogun, Chief Muniru Adekunle Onileyan, Baale Mafogunde and Alhaji Amude Isau Bamidele. Others are the Vice Chairman Ibeju-Lekki LG, Hon. Dapo Salami Supervisory Councilor on Agriculture Lekki LCDA Pastor Taiwo Olomi, Management Staff of Ministry of Rural Development and CDA Chairman of Okunfolu Mr. Lukman Busura.

 Modupe Ileyemi

Lagos State Government Press Release