TOKYO, Japan – The Government of Liberia through the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) is expected to sign a grant agreement with the Japanese government for the supply of Motorize Yamaha engines on October 7, 2019 in an effort to empower local fishermen.
This was confirmed during a side meeting at the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) with the Hon Kenji Kagawa special Advisor to the minister of agriculture, forestry and fisheries and Director of Oversea cooperation office and international affairs division of the fisheries agency of Japan in the person of Hon Takaai Sakamato.
This initiative according to the Director-General of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority who has just returned from Japan will increase local fish production thereby making fish more available on the domestic market hence reducing net importation of fish product so as to sustain a trade balance.
At the same time, Mrs. Glassco disclosed that NaFAA has presented a grant proposal (which is being reviewed by the Japanese government for possible consideration) for the construction of a Modernize Fishing Port/ Landing Cluster which includes Processing Facilities, Dry Docking, Fresh fish Market and Marine Store, valued at 7.8m USD to be constructed in Fanti Town, Buchanan City, Grand Bassa County.
Madam Glassco said this will significantly reduce post-harvest loss, add value to fish product being harvested to be sold on the domestic market and in so doing, produce certified high valued fish products for export to international markets.
In another development, during another side meeting, the Director-General of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority seized the opportunity to hold discussion with Nigerian President H.E President Muhammadu Buhari and his Foreign Minister Hon. Geoffrey Jidefor Onyeama in Japan.
According to madam Glassco, the brief discussion with President Buhari and foreign Minister Onyeama centered on possible Fisheries bilateral cooperation with focus on “fish farming”.
