ILAJE CRAYFISH AND FISH SELLERS ASSOCIATION SEEKS GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION
………Ondo Govt pledges to assist lessening challenges……..
In a bid to alleviate the challenges facing the aquaculture industry, the Ilaje Crayfish/Fish Sellers Association has sought the intervention of the Ondo State Government. The association, which comprises crayfish and fish sellers from Ilaje Local Government Area, approached the government with a plea for support to enhance their production and marketing endeavors.
The association’s chairperson,Mrs Olanireti Oguntibeju, highlighted the numerous challenges confronting the members, including the exorbitant cost of petrol, inability to secure fishing tools and equipment, and inadequate storage facilities. She lamented that these challenges have resulted in a significant decline in their productivity and profitability, thereby affecting their livelihoods.
In response to the association’s plea, the Ondo State Government has pledged to provide necessary support to lessen the challenges. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Mrs Foluke Tunde-Daramola, represented the Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Olayato Aribo, and assured the seafood businesswomen of the government’s commitment to empowering local businesses and enhancing food availability in the state.
The Ministry of on behalf of the state government pledged to provide the necessary support to enhance crayfish and fish production and price controls. The ministry has also promised to facilitate access to fishing tools and equipment, as well as provide storage facilities to mitigate post-harvest losses. This development is expected to enhance the productivity and profitability of the association’s members, thereby contributing to the food security in the state.
The traders were led to the headquarters of the ministry Alagbaka-Akure, by Amb. Orioye Benedict Gbayisemore, SSA to the Governor on Youth Empowerment and Job Creation, and in his words emphasized the importance of government support in alleviating the challenges faced by the association. He noted that the state government’s intervention would go a long way in solving part of the food crises in the state and beyond.
This support is a testament to Ondo State government commitment to empowering local businesses and enhancing food security in the state. The government’s intervention is expected to have a positive impact on the livelihoods of the seafood businesswomen and the economy of the state.
Also in attendance were the former council chairman Ilaje local govt, Hon. Olukunle Orokotan, Director of Fisheries, Mrs Iyabo Olaleye, the Director of Animal Husbandry, Mr Ojo, and the State Project Coordinator L-PRESS, Mr Olufemi Adeogun.
