Mr. Fischer Ogwugwu, the President,
Ufuoma United Fish Farmers Association in Delta State, has appealed to the
state government to create a conducive environment that will enable the
association to export fish.
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| Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State |
Ogwugwu made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of
Nigeria (NAN) in Asaba on Sunday.
He said that the major challenge facing the association was the
inability to process fish for export.
According to him, the association, which has more than 1,000
members, has the largest cat fish farm in West Africa.
He said that the farm, based in Ekpan, in Uwvie Local Government
Area of the state, produces more than 10 tons of fish on a daily basis all year
round.
"We need support from government, banks, willing partners,
and even non-governmental organisations to enable us to break into the
international market.
"We produce so much fish, but we don't have buyers; if we
can process and package the fish and export, every member of the association
will be better off.
"The local market women have taken advantage of the excess
supply to the extent that they determine the prices.
“So, we want to break into the international market to earn
foreign exchange and expand our businesses."
Ogwugwu stated that the fish farm has proven to be a sound
investment as some micro-finance banks in the state can attest to.
The president, therefore, assured prospective investors/partners
of the viability of the business and the safety of their investments.
He said that more youths would be attracted to the business if
the fish value chain could be established. (NAN)
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