Stakeholders want fisheries/Aquaculture domicile in Blue ministry

In an effort to ensure maximum utilization of economic potentials in the Fisheries and Aquaculture in Nigeria through a new policy that will run from 2024-2028, an instituted policy experts by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development ( FMARD), now renamed Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) by President Bola  Ahmed Tinubu are already finalizing a policy document for the sub sector in view of the newly created Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy (FMME).

The policy experts led by a professor of resources and environmental economics, Prof. Anthony Ojonimi Onoja and one other  posited that the new policy with Fisheries and Aquaculture will be better efficient in wealth generation if placed under the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy ( FMMBE), saying that the MAFS would now be able to focus more on crops and animal production.

In a statement issued after a two day meeting held in Abuja between 22nd-23rd, August 2023, it was stated that the stakeholders were much concerned about the appropriate ministry the department of Fisheries and Aquaculture together with the new draft policy be better situated between the MAFS and newly created FMMBE.

Prof. Onoja said that " there is no better time to properly situate the Fisheries and Aquaculture Division and the new policy on Aquaculture and Fisheries than now"

He advocated that "The divisions of Fisheries and Aquaculture to be moved into the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy where the divisions can optimize their potentials in propelling economic growth and development of the blue economy"

" Aquaculture and Fisheries are both operated in Marine and other blue resources ( freshwater such as lakes, rivers, pools and ponds) and in oceans too. Given that the new Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security needs to focus more on food crops and livestock as well as their derivatives' supplies to ensure food and nutrition security in the country. The Fisheries and Aquaculture sub sector risks being crowed out under Agric ministry as it has been financially marginalized. Hence the FG of Nigeria under the leadership of His Excellency, Alhaji Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who has taken bold initiative of building a new Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy should use this Ministry as a launch pad for optimal drive to achieve the aspiration of his declaration of a state of Emergency in Nigeria on food sector"

" It will also be more expedient for the new policy on Fisheries and Aquaculture for 2024-2028, already at the advanced stage of its drafting to be domiciled under the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy " said Prof. Onoja.

Speaking on the same issue, National President, Fisheries Society of Nigeria (FISON), Dr. Ebinimi Ansa, also a member of the Fishery and Aquaculture Drafting Team stressed that  "the creation of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy is a giant step in the right direction that will lead to creating jobs, providing blue foods from the Fisheries and Aquaculture resources, and sustaining livelihoods of our fishers and fish farmers. At this time therefore, it is pertinent that the Honourable Minister ensures that a full fledged Department of Marine Fisheries Resources and Aquaculture be created in the Ministry with full compliments of professionals to work in the Department and ensure that the new National Policy on Fisheries and Aquaculture (2024 - 2028) be given attention and  implemented"

The stakeholders however appreciated the support being given by the external bodies to new Fisheries and Aquaculture policy, saying that the project is funded by Resilient Aquatic Food Initiative ( RSAFI) of International Food Policy Research Institute ( IFPRI) with Worldfish and Agricultural Policy Research Network (APRNet). The RSAFI leadership is Dr. Catherine Ragasa of IFPRI, from Washington DC.

The new minister, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, ably represented by the Director of Fisheries, Mr. Omoragbon Wellington emphasized the need for increase in local production thereby appreciated those that have supported the process to get this far.

According to the Minister " I will like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to the IFPRI, Worldfish and the APRNet for their invaluable contributions in reviewing the existing draft Fisheries and Aquaculture policy of Nigeria set to be implemented from 2024 to 2028"