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Tag: fish

  • Lagoon fish can be harmful, expert warns

    Are you a lover of the popular point and kill fish delicacy, particularly those of you who live in Onitsha, Lagos, Port Harcourt and Calabar? This news may not be palatable to you. An expert, Dr. John-Paul Unyimadu, has warned on the dangers of consuming fish from the rivers. He rather recommended only those from fish ponds. He posited that our rivers have been polluted by unhealthy chemical known as Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB). PCBs are organic pollutants found mostly in transformer and capacitor oils and are harmful to humans, plants and animals.

    At a one-day workshop held for journalists in Enugu on the dangers of PCBs, an environmental expert and National Technical Consultant to the Federal Ministry of Environment, Dr.  John-Paul Unyimadu said no part of the Lagos Lagoon, particularly the Ijora axis, is safe for the fish and other living organisms in the water.

    Unyimadu raised similar alarm about the Onitsha part of the River Niger where findings, he said, have shown a huge concentration of a harmful chemical that could cause cancer, reproductive and development toxicity, impaired immune function, negative effects on the central nervous system as well as other deadly health problems to both humans and other living organisms that come in contact with it.

    The expert revealed this while delivering a lecture entitled “PCBs: Concentrations in Sediments, Fish and Surface Water in Selected Locations in Nigeria.”

    Dr. Unyimadu said due to the high level of chemical Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB) in the Ijora area of the Lagoon and Onitsha axis of the River Niger, fish and other living organisms in those bodies of water have become endangered species.

    “No part of Lagos Lagoon is safe now when you talk of the levels of the PCBs in the water,” Dr. Unyimadu said.

    He added: “In the Ijora Power Station area of the Lagoon, any living organism in that water is in danger depending on the level of PCBs and if organism is endangered, it means that man is also endangered.

    “Of the two locations, Ijora is much polluted. Then River Niger, the Onitsha axis of the river is also much polluted because manufacturers of plastic products and paints dump certain things that contain PCBs inside the river.”

    The workshop entitled, “Polychlorinated Biphenyls(PCBs): Understanding Their Health and Environmental Impact,”  was organised by the Nigeria Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB) Management Project, Federal Ministry of Environment in collaboration with the World Bank, Global Environment Fund and Moriah-Marketstrides Consortium Communications Consultants.

    Unyimadu recalled that way back in 1921, some chemists discovered and began manufacturing a certain chemical element known as Polychlorinated Biphenyls, also known as PCBs which are in the class of “organic compound found to be fire-resistant, stable and non-conductive to electricity and of very low volatility under normal conditions.”

    He explained that due to its characteristics, the chemical was used in the manufacture of certain oils that became vital in the operation of power conductors and electric equipment. “Electricity transformers became most efficient, running on the oil laced with PCBs.

    “Also, other lesser grade conductors such as electricity generating sets, capacitors used in lighting fixtures were designed to run on PCBs-laden oil, otherwise known as dielectric fluid.

    “Besides, industries adopted PCB-based oil as heat transfer fluids and a coolant for high temperature processes just as PCB-laden oil was very essential in the manufacture of plasticisers in sealants, caulking, synthetic resins rubbers, paints, waxes and asphalts.

    “With the discovery and manufacture of PCB containing oils, electricity processing and distribution processes became more efficient and manufacturing industries also started running more efficient machinery. PCBs and PCB-based oils were therefore of immense value and benefits to mankind, since 1921, through the years to recent time.

    “In fact, by early 1929, the characteristics associated with PCBs made it ideal for many industrial applications and for the manufacture of many consumer products. The use became more predominant between 1950 and 1970,” he said.

    However, in the early 1980s, it was discovered that the all-important PCBs contains toxic properties that are harmful to every living thing – man, animal and even the environment.

    “Due to the dangerous effects of PCBs, it was banned worldwide. In early 1980s, PCBs were classified among the 21 most dangerous chemicals marked for complete elimination at a Stockholm Convention of 2001,” Unyimadu said.

    “The transformer oil we were using in those days has become harmful today. People should be very careful about what they eat and how they live,” he warned.

    The objective of the workshop which is billed to hold in three major cities of Lagos, Kaduna and Enugu is to sensitise the public on the dangers of living with PCBs.

  • ‘Why fish import limits is vital to the economy’

    The Federal Government’s policy of restricting fish imports will help to revive the sector, which accounts for four percent of the Gross Domestic Products, the Managing Director Vesa Fisheries, Mrs Vera Aighbe, has said.

    The focus of the new fish policy, according to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, is to promote fish self-sufficiency as total fish demand is 2.7 million metric tonnes with local production accounting for 800,000 metric tonnes. The large deficit of 1.9 million metric tonnes being met by imports.

    Mrs Aighbe praised the policy, noting that it has provided a level playing field for players as well as promoted increased entrant of local players into the industry.

    She said their previous challenges which had been unattended to by former administrations were being tackled under the fish policy.

    According to her, the new policy on import quota is directed at sanitising a terribly corrupt fish import licensing and import quota system.

    She said it has prevented the practice where some large corporate importers simply stockpile fish and distort the market at will, driving small Nigerian fish retailers out of business. Stock piling also leads to keeping fish way beyond acceptable sell-by dates, leading to the sale of rancid fish to consumers.

    On its sustainability, she recommended the dissection of the policy to be adopted as a national law and ended with saying: “I can’t sell bad fish to my brothers and sisters or to anyone as I do not know who will buy the fish.”

    She was optimistic of the initiative. Through the implementation of the policy, Mrs Aigbe noted that the “Fishy Business” which had riddled the industry mostly the issue of foreign players marginalising and oppressing the local players have become issues of the past as the policy promotes local market share which has risen to about 50 percent and they are  pushing for a 60-40 share.

    She also validated the minister’s target to rid the market of bad fish, adding that with the policy they can purchase monthly quota which ensures that the fish in the market is fresh and healthy for consumption.

    She said the limits were being imposed “with the goal of guaranteeing the security of the local fisheries and indicate that the scope of the measures is reducing spoilage and wastage  caused by overstocking by foreign companies’’.

    On the allegations of bribery in the industry, she said: “The minister is a straight man, the allegation is not true; we do not have the money to even bribe the minister. The issue of bribery was in the past and was by the foreign players. The allocation and quota sharing was done without any financial inducement from Nigerian fish industry players.”

  • GES’ll boost fish production, says UAC boss

    The Federal Government’s aquaculture Growth Enhancement Support Scheme (GES) can allieviate food shortages and increase fish production, the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer(CEO) of UAC Nigeria Plc, Mr Larry Ettah, has said

    He said though the scheme is commendable, the government should put in place policy incentives to boost local production of fish feed.

    He spoke at the endorsement ceremony of Grand Cereal’s ‘Vital fish feed’ by the Catfish Farmers Association of Nigeria (CAFAN) in Lagos.

    Ettah said investment in aquaculture, if well harnessed, has the potential to reduce the fish supply deficit estimated at 1.9 million metric tonnes per year, which makes the country spends N125 billion per year on fish importation.

    He said: “This potential cannot and will not be realised without a strong and vibrant local fish feed industry,which Vital fish feed wants to address, as the imported fish feed brands entering the country are not only expensive,lack freshness due to number of days spent on sea, but also a huge drain on the country’s scarce foreign exchange and a leakage in the aquaculture value chain.”

    Ettah, who was represented by the Director, Corporate Affairs, Mr G. Dada, said the endorsement by the association is a culmination of rigorous technical and laboratory analyses carried out by CAFAN on Vital Fish feed as well as the experential testimonies of fish farmers across the country.

    The National President, CAFAN, Chief Tayo Akingbolagun, said Grand Cereal limited’s Vital Fish feed, met the criteria of the association, as testing had been on since 2012, when the company approached it for the endorsement.

    He advocated more local fish feed company, saying the opportunities in the industry were enormous as the country’s fisheries resources is estimated at four million metric tons per year and if properly harnessed, is capable of meeting the local fish demand and generating surplus for export.

    Restating their level of preparedness to be the country’s leading local fish feed manufacturer, the Managing Director, Grand Cereals limited, Mr Layi Oyatoki, said the 3,000 metric tonne per year capacity fish feed plant set up in Jos, Plateau State in 2007, has grown to 30,000 metric tonnes per annum as a result of investments.

    Oyatoki said: “The endorsement will not make the company complacent but more determined to grow the fisheries industry as the dream is to see a day when there will be no need to import a single bag of fish feed into the country”.Grand Cereal is a subsidiary of UAC Nigeria Plc.”

  • Fish processors groan over activities of middlemen

    Some Lagos catfish processors have decried the activities of middlemen in the export of processed catfish, saying they were obstacles to the growth of the sub-sector.

    The processors told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the middlemen were the reason why some fish exporters quit the businessmen.

    Mrs Adunni Omotayo, a catfish processor told NAN that exporters had resolved to sell their produce locally.

    Omotayo said that exporters no longer trusted contact persons who received the produce as they had been swindling processors.

    “It is a problem in the sector right now because processors no longer trust those who receive the products. They have formed the habit of running away with exporters’ money.

    “The middlemen are supposed to sell the processed fish and refund the money to the exporters but these days, they do not do that.

    “It simply means that processors will have to travel themselves, because when we spend so much money here we do not get it back,“ Omotayo said.

    Mr Jude Okwudili, another processor, suggested that the only way to avoid middlemen absconding with the processor’s money was for them to “buy off” the produce.

    Okwudili suggested that Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) should collaborate to ease fish export processes.

    “We depend mostly on middlemen to sell our products, so the best way is for them to buy the products outright from the processor.

    “Middlemen also take away a good part of the profit from the sales of the products,“ Okwudili said.

    Reacting to the challenges caused by middlemen, Mr Kehinde Ogunyinka, the state Project Coordinator of the Commercial Agriculture Development Project (CADP) said:“Middlemen are silent operators in the chain of export.

    “They create impediments to development; so I urge processors to seek ways to get approval and certification because there are appropriate ways to do so.

    “It is also important for processors to do the right thing by meeting standards to get certification from NAFDAC, SON and the Federal Department of Agriculture,“ Ogunyinka said.

  • Ibadan fish consumers, mongers protest import ban

    Ibadan fish consumers, mongers protest import ban

    The Federal Government’s restriction on fish imports is causing a lot of hardship for sellers and consumers in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, as prices of this main source of essential protein for the people have gone up almost beyond their reach. OSEHEYE OKWUOFU reports.

    These are hard times for residents of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital who have had to go without fish in their diet for some time now due to a sudden sharp increase in the prices of the food item, which serves as their major source of protein.

    When they first noticed the price increase about four months ago, most residents, especially housewives thought it was temporary, probably caused by unscrupulous traders, who created artificial scarcity to force the price up. But they were wrong, the price hike seems to be here to stay as the prices have continued to soar reaching an all time high

    A carton of sardine fish that used to sell for between N3,000 to N4,000 few months ago now sells for N9,000, while a packet of mackerel fish sold at N5,000 not too long ago now sells for N8,000. Also, a sizeable mackerel fish that sold for N150 before the hike is now N300, while one sardine fish which was formerly sold at N90 is now N150.

    The development has left both the sellers and buyers lamenting, wondering what has happened to the only commodity described as the “poor man’s food.” And they are worried that in the absence of fish in their diet, what becomes of the common man, who could not afford beef or goat meat.

    There were very few traders, who could afford to sell the commodity, while many consumers seeking to buy fish could not buy them because they could not afford the price.

    At the various markets visited in Ibadan and environs, many consumers could not explain the reasons for the increase in the price. At Dugbe, Oje, Bodija, Apata, Omi-Adio and Mokola, Ibadan markets the situation was the same. Those who have great taste for fish were found groaning and lamenting the situation.

    In fact, not even some fish depot operators could adduce reasons for the price increase which has caused many fish traders to abandon the once bubbling business. It took them up to one month before they learnt of a government restriction on fish import, which explains the scarcity and the attendant price increase.

    Initially, there was mass protest in Ibadan among fish sellers against the import restriction. This was later followed by a strike action which lasted for about three weeks, without drawing the sympathy of people in the corridors of power.

    Noticing that their protests have fallen on deaf ears, the aggrieved traders after some time decided to call off their strike when they could not sustain the action and went back to their shops.

    Describing the situation as unacceptable, one of the leaders of fish traders in Ibadan, Mrs Serifatu Oladimeji, who has her shop at Omi-Adio market said, it took the traders weeks before they were informed that there was restriction on fish importation into the country.

    “Such uninformed decision by the government was not only wrongly conceived, but the way it was planned was also wrong. I felt we are the stakeholders I mean the traders, the people, the consumers and the depot operators and so on.

    “Before implementing such a policy, the government should ensure that all stakeholders were carried along. Besides, before restricting the importation of such an essential commodity, the government should have thought of a possible replacement or an alternative to cushion the effect on the consuming populace. It shows the kind of leaders that we have at the helm of affairs. Are they really responsible to the people, and whose interest are they even protecting?” Mrs Afolabi Abosede, a consumer asked.

    In her argument, Mrs Sariyu Bolaji, another fish seller at Omi-Adio market described the restriction as anti-people, noting that such a staple diet common among the poor should not be restricted at all no matter what it takes the government. She said since the crisis in the fish industry, many Nigerians hardly eat food with anything because they cannot afford to buy meat.

    “You know, our common food here in Yorubaland is Amala (yam powder), Lafun (cassava powder) and Iyan (pounded yam). And we can’t eat this without a good soup cooked with fish because that is what majority can afford.

    “And when there is fish in the soup our belief is that we have a complete diet and good food. Although, we can add ponmo (cow skin) if we like, but fish is what majority will not do without,” she said.

    Another fish seller Mrs Sadia Wasiu, appealed to the Federal Government to reverse its decision on the restriction, adding, that Nigeria was not ripe for such an action.

    Sadia further called for government incentives for local fish producers so that there will be enough local production before placing restriction on fish import.

    At an interactive session with some stakeholders last week in Abuja, the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, defended government’s decision on fish import, stating that Nigeria spends an estimated N125.38billion on fish importation annually.

    The minister, who promised to reposition the fishery sector with a view to achieving fish sufficiency said that current situation in the sector is totally unacceptable.

    “Nigeria spends an estimated N125.38 billion importing fish every year,” the minister said.

    He further explained that total demand for fish in Nigeria is 2.7million MT but Nigeria is producing about 800,000 MT locally with the deficit of 1.9million MT being met by imports.

  • No longer at ease with tokunbo cars, fish, rice, etcetera

    No longer at ease with tokunbo cars, fish, rice, etcetera

    The federal government’s plan to place a ban on the importation of food products into the country including rice, chicken and automobiles and spare-parts such as cars, buses and  tyres, with effect from January, analysts have argued, is not in public interest.

    BAN. This three-letter word, as simple as it sounds, is one big nightmare to businesses involved in the importation of rice, fish, chicken, sugar, salt, cars and spare-parts.

    Reason: the so-called ‘structured embargo’ on the importation of fish commenced this month, just as the government-proposed 70 per cent tariff on all new or used (tokunbo) motor vehicles has already taken effect, thus resulting in a general lull in such businesses, among other dire consequences.

    Take fish for instance, the ban is already taking its toll on the fish-food chain.

    Last year, there was public outcry when, in some quarters, speculations were rife that importation of fish was banned, starting from 2014.

    However, at the tail end of last year, Agriculture Minister, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, clarified the matter, saying that fish importation was not banned, rather, the ministry of agriculture was embarking on ‘structured embargo’ on the importation of fish which would commence on January 2014.

    Adesina said the policy was to reduce overall annual importation of fish by 25% in order to buoy up local fish production.

    Late October last year, the ministry of agriculture, had, in a circular, stated that bills of ladings for imported fish must be dated on or before 30th October, 2013 while the cargo should land not later than December 31st, 2013.

    Some of the reasons, apart from stimulating local production of fish, include stemming the practice of dumping unwholesome fish in the country as trade malpractices associated with fish importation.

    However, investigation by The Nation revealed that since the announcement, the federal government has stopped importation of fish into the country since October 31.

    A concessionaire of a leading fish terminal in Apapa Port told our correspondent in an interview that the terminal and other terminals have stopped receiving fish product cargoes, which bill of laden were dated later than October 31, as they have been directed to do so by the federal government.

    The General Manager, Port Operations, ENL Consortium, Mr Mark Walsh, said the new fish policy has now added to such others as the ban on cement and rice, which had seen the terminal losing up to 800,000 tons of rice in about 10 months.

    “The government banned fish importation since October 31 last year. Before, we were doing 20,000 tons of fish every month, but now, that is gone. Any bill of laden after that date cannot be brought to Nigeria. What we have coming in now are those imports with earlier bills of laden dated before October 31.

    “I talked to a lot of the fish association and they have said that by the end of December, there will not be fish in the cold rooms. So it is a serious situation because it will affect everybody in the country.”

    Argument supporting import ban

    It may be recalled that the ban on fish came barely three months after the Agriculture Minister, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, disclosed at the inauguration of the Special Growth Enhancement Support Scheme for fisheries and the aquaculture value chain in Ado-Ekiti last August, that the federal government would soon place a total ban on the importation of fish and other aquatic consumables.

    According to figures provided by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, between 2010 and 2012 Nigeria imported an average of 780,000 metric tonnes of frozen fish annually from Europe, Latin America and Eastern countries, worth about N100 billion.

    With annual fish demand estimated at 2.66 million metric tons (MMT), Nigeria currently produces about 0.78MMT leaving a demand-supply gap of about 1.8MMT.

    Regrettably, the shortfall of fish supply in the country had led to a low annual per capita fish consumption rate of only 7.5 kilogrammes as against 15 kilogrammes per annum recommended by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

    In the view of the government, it is expected that an increase in national fish production would not only diversify the country’s resources base, but also complement efforts aimed at achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

    The government also expects production of 4.0MMT annually from its fish production programme, which could conveniently meet the national demand of 2.66MMT, as well as generate considerable export earnings, provided adequate and effective policies were put in place to drive the industry.

    The minister had said that the ban would be imposed only if arrangements being put in place by the government to that effect worked as planned.

    Represented by the Federal Director of Fisheries, Mrs. Foluke Areola, the Agric Minister had stressed that the country had no business importing fish, given its huge natural and renewable resources.

    “The value chains are to create an enabling environment for increased and sustainable production of over one million tonnes of fish within the next four years, generate employment and pursue gradual reduction of fish imports,” the minister said.

    Echoing similar sentiments, the Chairman of Nigeria Ship Owners Association (NISA), Dr Isaac Jolopamo, said the new fish policy would help save a large chunk of about N2 trillion which the country loses in freight as capital flight to other countries from where Nigeria imports fish.

    Groundswell of

    opposition against ban

    Most Nigerians are of the opinion that the steps are good ones taken before the right time.

    “It may not be totally ideal to stop fish for now, but placing a ban on some kinds of fish such as croaker will be fine because croaker is a tropical fish and we have enough of them in our waters,” said a fish vessel controller at Apapa, who would not be named.

    “From the ban on cement to the increase in the tariffs on rice and now fish no longer coming in, it has been very difficult. We have lost up to 800,000 tons since January this year. But you see rice in the market. All the vessels bringing rice are going to Cotonou and the rice is somehow making its way across the border.

    “So, you can still go the market, whether in Apapa or any other place in Nigeria, and still find rice, why? So you can see there is a problem. Cotonou does not make rice. They are Thai rice, Indian rice getting into Nigeria somehow. So the government increasing the duty only affects the government itself because all the duty on that rice is going to the government of the Benin Republic,” Walsh said.

    Fish and rice: same side of a coin

    Another product that Nigerians should expect a price hike on is rice. The price of rice, which is a staple for many Nigerian households, is also set to go up.

    As far back as October 2011, the Minister of Industry Trade, and Investment, Olusegun Aganga, had announced that rice importation will end in 2014.

    However, as the date came, Segun Akinleye, who lives in Lagos, believes that the government move would just bring untold hardship to ordinary citizens.

    “We cannot produce enough to feed ourselves,” he said. “And what will happen is that price of rice will just skyrocket. And it is the poor people that will suffer most.”

    However, it seems the worry is on the side of the citizenry.

    According to the acting Director-General of the National Agricultural Seeds Council, Olusegun Olatokun, it is political speak that Nigeria cannot provide the rice it consumes.

    “The total consumption in Nigeria is in the region of about six million tonnes of paddy,” Olatokun said in a recent declaration. “What we are producing is in the region of 3.5 million tonnes. What was left for us to meet up was about 2.5 million tonnes.”

    Same old story

    But these comments highlight some ironies of previous attempts to control demand of rice in the past.

    Between October 1978 and April 1979, the military government, under General Olusegun Obasanjo, banned rice imports in containers under 50kg.

    In December 1980, Shagari created a Presidential Task Force (PTF) on rice to issue allocations to customers and traders. In January 1984, the military regime of General Muhammadu Buhari disbanded PTF on rice and importation was placed under general license restrictions. In October 1985, Major General Ibrahim Babangida imposed a ban on the importation of rice (and maize).

    However, during this period, rice was illegally imported into Nigeria through the country’s borders.

    In 1995, the import ban on rice was removed by the then Nigerian head of state, General Sani Abacha, because local suppliers failed to meet demand.

    But Olatokun said, in 2014, Nigeria will be exporting rice, stating, “It is a good thing that they (government) should ban it, if they don’t, the competition that will come may discourage the rice producers.”

    Stakeholders’ appeal

    Peeved by what he described as a defective policy, the Chairman, Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN), South-West zone, Mr Olusegun Atho, has advised government to put in place proactive measures to meet the country’s rice demand before banning imported rice.

    Atho, who addressed newsmen in Lagos recently, noted that government needed to provide incentives to farmers to become self-sufficient in rice production.

    “I don’t see any reality in this 2014 deadline. Not until when necessary machinery is put in place should government ban imported rice.

    “Government should equip farmers with the necessary tools, including tractors, organic fertilisers and give adequate training to farmers.”

    The RIFAN chairman also advised the government to provide adequate funding by way of grants or loans to farmers.

    “These factors are very important and must be put into consideration, before the proposed ban.

    “If these things are not in place, the ban cannot be realistic. Until when government begins to do something about it, that is when we can see the seriousness.”

    He identified smuggling as the major factor that would hinder any ban on the imported commodity, just as it had adverse effects on local rice production.

    “Government needs to come out and deal with the issue of smuggling, in order to encourage local growers.”

    Atho also appealed to government to construct more dams and provide mini-pumping machines for farmers to prepare them for irrigation farming as well as introduce modern rice production technology.

    “If government can provide all these to farmers, that is when government can boast of self-sustainability.”

    Tariff on new and tokunbo cars

    The Nation can authoritatively report that the government-proposed 70% tariff on all new or used motor vehicles began this month.

    Accordingly, this tariff includes a 35 per cent duty and another levy of 35 per cent of the cost of the vehicle, which is an increase from a 20 per cent duty and two per cent levy.

    Besides, tyres will attract 20 per cent duty and five per cent value added tax.

    This increase is a result of approval by the Federal Executive Council of a new national automotive policy aimed at encouraging local production and assembly of vehicles in Nigeria.

    A fait accompli

    For most Nigerians, who still nursed the feeling that the new automotive policy may yet become fully operational until a later date, a document from the Office of the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, in a manner of speaking, literally sealed the deal.

    The document shows that local assembly plants are expected to import completely knocked down (CKD) vehicles at zero per cent duty, semi-knocked down vehicles at five per cent duty.

    Also, the plants can import fully built unit cars at 35 per cent duty and 20 per cent for commercial vehicles without levy, respectively in numbers equal to twice their CKD/SKD kits.

    According to the government, this move was to discourage wanton importation of motor vehicles and tyres which stifles the country’s economy as well as promote the indigenisation of the local automotive industry.

    By implication, the prices of imported cars will skyrocket.

    Not at ease with high car tariff

    But even before the kick off, there have been complaints not only by some players in the automotive but in different strata of the economy. Already, this move has been given knocks.

    According to Abubakar Bello who is based in Kano, the government’s desire to encourage local assembly of motor vehicles is not sincere.

    “If not, why give room to importation of fully built vehicles by the assembly plants at a lower duty of 35% without levy as against the punitive rate of 35% duty and levy of 35% for other importers of especially used vehicles,” he said.

    “The bases for the policy and the speed with which it is being implemented without a thorough ground work give room for suspicion that government is only creating a new set of super monopolist car importers. What the government failed to realise is that it cannot stop the importation of especially used cars with our porous borders and highly corrupt custom officials. The sea ports of Nigeria’s neighbouring countries will soon witness a huge surge in activities with corresponding increase in revenue from tariffs.”

    Because of this, Bello believes: “The local assembly plants will not be able to sell their vehicles whether imported or locally assembled as their prices will be prohibitive. They will put back their machines into the crates to take them to somewhere or back to their home countries as soon as they set up the plants.”

    According to Oluwole Betiku, an auto-mechanic who runs an automobile training school and workshop, the policy was not well thought-out.

    Making oblique reference to a statement credited to former President Obasanjo during his outing as a civilian president when he said, ‘Tokunbo car is better than no car at all,’ Betiku asked, “how many companies and government agencies give their staff car loans to buy new cars?”

    Betiku also said those who purchased cheap cars usually pay back in terms of ‘spare parts.’

    “The car makers lack technical back-ups,” he said. “There is no control over their spare-parts and consumables such as oil filters, fuel filters, and plugs which should be available everywhere.”

    Betiku also urged that the policy be revisited and more stakeholders’ view be accommodated.

    However, Aganga is optimistic about the policy, even going as far as saying that arrangements were in place to manufacture new cars that would sell for between N1.2m and N1.5m.

    He said, “With our current population and economy, our potential vehicle market is about one million vehicles a year. This is more than sufficient to support an automotive industry.”

    As the groundswell of opposition mounts against the ban on importation of food products and other essential commodities, Nigerians must wait to know whether the government or the sceptics are proved right.

    examine the issue

  • Fishery society blames insufficient species of fish on water pollution

    Fishery society blames insufficient species of fish on water pollution

    Mr Abiodun Ogun-bona, the Vice-President, Fisheries Society of Nigeria (FISON), Lagos State Chapter, on Friday attributed the insufficient species of fish in Nigeria to water pollution.

    Ogunbona told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that oil spillage was a major factor hindering the adaptation of some particular species of fish.

    He noted that fishes could also migrate when the environment was not adaptable.

    “Oil spillage on the water is very dangerous for the fishes and kills outrightly, especially for young fishes and this will make them migrate from the ocean to a safer place.

    “It is difficult to breed some species of fish here in Nigeria, because they require lot of attention, such as Tilapia, Croaker and lobsters among others.

    “ Croaker is a marine fish that has not began to be cultured in Nigeria because it entails the process called marine culture.”

    He identified catfish as the easiest and affordable specie to be bred in Nigeria, saying the country was the third highest producer of catfish in Africa.

    “The catfish is the most bred fish in the country because of its adaptation system which is very prominent.

    “If our infrastructure can be improved, such as electricity, road accessibility and adequate water supply, breeders would improve the level of production.

    “The processed catfish are also exported to western countries which is an important source to increase the country’s revenue.”

    Ogunbona appealed to the government to encourage local fishermen to boost production.

    He advised the government to organise training on breeding, processing and marketing, to serve as a medium of job creation for youths in the country.

  • The joy of roasted fish

    The joy of roasted fish

    The delicacy of roasted fish is turning erstwhile jobless people into employers of labour in Lokoja, Kogi State capital. Muhammad Bashir writes

    It is the confluence capital, where Nigeria was said to have been named. But Lokoja, capital city of Kogi State, is also the ancient town where fresh fish is harvested in considerable quantity. In fact, the city’s aquatic riches are providing jobs for countless numbers of residents. Some of these people have been doing several creative things with fish, one of which is roasting it and selling to connoisseurs. You could say fish is not just generating jobs, but huge cash.

    To the people of Lokoja, fish used to be a mere staple on the family table. But since the creation of Kogi State, fish has become one of the most expensive items on the residents’ menu, only affordable by moneybags, especially during the dry season.

    Before the advent of commercial fish ponds, popular hotel operators in Abuja always enjoyed coming down to Lokoja to buy their fish no matter the cost. Travellers going from Lokoja to the east, south and north stop by and purchase fish, thereby making it too  exorbitant for the common people in the area.

    Research has shown that fish business especially the roasted type, known as point-and-kill has become one of the fastest growing businesses in the capital city. Graduates and undergraduates have since turned the business into a means of livelihood.

    Research has also shown that over 25 per cent of unemployed graduates are into the business, while over 30 per cent sponsor their education with proceeds from it.

    Many locations in Lokoja, particularly pubs have point-and-kill beside due to customers demand who now believe that consumption of alcohol is nothing if not accompanied by fish not only because of its protein but also because of it peppery taste. Many have since taken to eating roasted fish rather than the usual pepper soup and other spiced offerings.

    Hardly can you find a table at a bar where there is no tray of roasted fish. Families move their entire households in the evening to nearby outlets just to have a taste of this delicacy. On a lighter mood, most ladies place much demand on point and kill fish in order to top off theuir evenings. Some men have formed the habit of buying roasted fish to make peace or solidify their relationships with their women instead of the usual flowers.

    Some of the roasted fish sellers who spoke with The Nation, appreciated the level of patronage they enjoy every evening.

    Madam Esther John at the NUJ press centre in Lokoja said she has been in the fish-selling business for four years. She said the business has not always been rosy because of the high cost of fish.

    Esther said that she went into the business since she was sacked out the state civil service, following the last workers verification exercise conducted by former administration of Alhaji Ibrahim Idris. The screening report led to the sacking of so many workers.

    She said what takes up most of her profit is the daily purchase of ingredients to spice the fish.

    “The money I use in buying fresh and dry pepper, onion, maggi, vegetables cost me a lot; at times I don’t go home with much profit as expect.

    Can she go into another business?

    Esther said: “Which other business do you expect me to go into.  I am already used to this one, and it is not as if I am not making any profit; it is not much, but I am managing.”

    This was not in the case of Mr. Augustine Emmanuel who expressed happiness with the roasted fish business.

    Emmanuel who has his business empire opposite Museum in Lokoja and have three people working for him, said he has been enjoying the business for the past three years. He said the business has been very profitable due to the high demand by customers.

    “This business has been helping me in solving almost all my needs. I never go hungry since I ventured into it. I use this business to help my self and my relations. In fact I am currently sponsoring some of my younger ones in the school.

    He said he has never sold less than fifteen fishes, I sell up to 30 to 50 especially when there is high demand.

    The affordability of these proteinous delicacies is another serious issue to be handle, particular to those who survive with a very lean resources. The least cost of these are ranging from N1000 and above.

    Some people have lauded the fact that buying roasted fish to consume in one instance, shouldn’t be priority, and it is rather waste of money especially in the midst of financial hardship in the country.

    Mr John Musa, argued that, fish of N1500 is enough to eat with his family for two or three day.

    “How can I take N1500 to buy just one fish that may not even be enough fro me alone to eat; that is a waste of resources. I’d rather use the money to buy more than one fish directly from the market and eat with my family to satisfaction. I forbid buying point-and-kill fish.”

    One other issue that raised much heated argument is the potency between fish pond and that of river. Divergent opinion have it that the pond fish taste satisfactory and hygienic, because it clinical breeding, while some believe that river fish is more tasty and proteinous because it was naturally breeded.

    But Mr. Augustine settled the confusion. He said some customer prefers pond fish fish the more because it is a bit lower in price than the river fish.

    He said he placed river fish on the fire based on demand by a customer.

    There is every need for the government to give much emphasis on this venture. It will go along way in taking restive youths out of the streets. And, even more than that, they can also become employers of labour.

  • Teaching them how to fish

    Teaching them how to fish

    When the news of the Enterprise and Business Intelligence training workshop to be hosted by Afterschool Graduate Development centre (AGDC) reached Rosaline Odion, she was not impressed. Reason: it appeared like one of the numerous entrepreneurship programmes that have become routine in Nigeria.

    But she applied to attend it, to as she put it while away time.

    As the one-week training came to a close, got more than she bargained for. Rosaline was one of the beneficiaries of a baking oven and mixer for cake baking.

    The AGDC Projects Co-ordinator, Godbless Otubure, said the goal was to reduce the number of youths without the capacity to generate their own income in Edo State. He said there had been too much emphasis on the theoretical part of entrepreneurship, describing the training as practical, with start-up equipment to trainees who distinguished themselves during the workshop.

    “We believe that by empowering the youth with practical skills and business intelligence, which they can readily exchange for money, the challenge of youth unemployment in the country will be effectively tackled. That is the thrust of the projects. Unemployment keeps rising in Nigeria because overtime, we have not taken practical steps to address issues. For us at AGDC, practical empowerment is the solution,” he stated.

    He added that he was happy to see that all the trainees could put their training to practice. He said: “Participants in the baking session made a wedding cake after the event. Those from bead making session were already making bead necklaces, earrings, and wrist bands by the third day. Even those in the fashion session were already sewing straight lines. That is deeply satisfying.”

    The programme, which was held at the Kada Fried Event Centre in Benin City, was attended by officials of theTheophilus Danjuma Foundation. No fewer than 50 students participated in the programme. The trainees were divided into business segments of their choice. They included cake baking, bead making, make-up artistry, fashion design and GSM repairs.

    The business intelligence sessions were facilitated by start-up experts. They included Lead Pastor, Firm Foundation International, Dr Benson Akhigbe; AGDC Team Leader, Brian Oji and Godbless Otubure.

    In the business intelligence sessions, the trainees were taught several business skills which included “How to start your business,” “Business management and operations,” and “Business strategy.”

    One of the participants, Onoriode Sandra, who was in the fashion design class, hailed the organisers. She said: ”That I can now pedal a sewing machine and make a dress in just ten days of training is amazing. For me, the programme was a blessing.”

    Brian, one of the project coordinators, said he was confident that the training will solve the problem of youth unemployment in Nigeria.

    Some of the participants the beneficiaries urged youths to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the organisation and called on the organisers to sustain the project.

     

  • Branding Nigeria’s biggest fish feast

    Branding Nigeria’s biggest fish feast

    Taraba has a lot to wow its beholder. The wildlife on the Mambilla plateau in Gembu, Sardauna Local Government Area, is breathtaking. Another attraction is Nwonyo Lake, which produces Nigeria’s biggest fish in Nigeria.

    The fishing festival is a tourism product that has put the country in world reckoning. It is the essence of the state, the identity and heritage of Taraba people. But something is missing: it is not making any money for the state. It needs branding.

    Nwonyo is in Ibi Local Government Area, south of the state. A tributary of River Benue flows into it, covering a distance of about 10km. Most of the aquatic creatures from the main river course take asylum at Nwonyo due to its cool and serene habitat and the fact that the lake is a reserve.

    The state’s tourism board organises the Nwonyo fishing festival, with support from the federal government and donor agencies.

    The main business of the festival is the fishing expedition. But there is also the search for turtles and crocodiles. Boat regatta, horse race, traditional wrestling, masquerades and cultural dances are other exhilarating attractions that herald the day.

    The atmosphere is generally that of a carnival. Hordes of people mill around, interacting with a bevy of traders who make brisk business by selling sundry items. The main stand is cordoned off to protect the peace of dignitaries. Senate President David Mark, the wife of the president, Patience Jonathan, governors Murtala Nyako (Adamawa) and Muazu Babangida (Niger) are among high profile dignitaries who have graced previous editions of the festival at different times.

    In fact, there are many fantastic things to thrill every visitor at the festival. The sights, gulls, sounds and rhythms of the lake water and birds alone can dazzle your senses and soothe your mind.

    Usually, the governor leaves the podium to the lake’s bank to declare the festival open. Then the fishing competition would commence at the blow of a whistle by the custodian of the lake. The custodian is usually the Sarkin Ibi, who claims to be in consultation with the goddess of the water during the festival.

    The fishing competition is done traditionally, using small canoes. On the canoe, there are two paddlers and a third man who throws the net for the catch. The thrower is seen as the team leader. He often jumps into the water to probe dexterously for fish, not just fish but the biggest.

    Any big fish caught by a competitor attracts a thunder of applause and yelling from the fun-seeking audience.

    The densities of the fish are assessed with a scale, usually by officials of the Taraba State Tourism Board.

    The catcher of the biggest fish is usually rewarded with a car prize. The first and second runners-up are given other prizes for their efforts.

    The heftiest catches of the festival are usually the Nile Porch species of fish, known in Hausa as Giwa Ruwa. The biggest catch last year, by Hudu Yakubu weighed 280kg. Shehu Umar came second with a 215kg catch, while Likiti Aboshi came third with a 214kg fish. Thus, Yakubu cruised home with a Hilux Pick-up truck. He was engulfed with joy, raising his hands and acknowledging cheers from the crowd.

    In 2009, Senate President David Mark, who represented President Umaru Yar’Adua, described the biggest catch of 230kg as thrice his weight.

    Having put the state in such an enviable world map of reckoning, Nwonyo, as a tourism-based product, ought to be a revenue generating enterprise. But it is not.

    Despite the fact that the lake breeds the weightiest fish in the country, it is Argungu in Kebbi State that commands the patronage of the world. The Taraba’s fishing festival is not organised in such a way it could coax hard currency from the pockets of tourists. The state pitiably hangs on to what the government hands out every year for the festival.

    That is why Governor Danbaba Suntai, in his usual bluntness, has described the festival as a mere “jamboree” that is yet to impact on the state economically. This was during the last edition in April last year –before his plane crash in October in which he was the pilot.

    “We are yet to see a blueprint that can turn tourism into a revenue generating enterprise in Taraba State,” he stated.

    The governor grimaced at a situation where the festival is looked at as only a ritual where government spends funds yearly for people to come and watch without the state profiteering from it.

    Suntai said Taraba was yet to start the “journey of tourism,” adding that any money sunk by government for the purpose of holding the fishing festival was a waste.

    “In two years, if I don’t see a difference I will withdraw myself from this journey of nothing,” he threatened, challenging the state Tourism Development Board to turn tourism into a revenue-earning business that would impact positively and directly on the lives of Tarabans, particularly those domiciled within the tourist sites.

    Suntai is not the only one in this school of thought. Dr. Joseph Rishante who was the guest speaker at last year’s edition, had earlier described tourism as a “naira and kobo making business.”

    This means Nwonyo fishing festival must be transformed and rebranded into an economic viable sector. And according to Rishante, “you don’t need to start with Five Star Hotels; you can start small but let us see that you have started something.”

    In 2010, the Taraba State government said it spent N45m in hosting the fishing festival, with counterpart funding of N20m by the federal government. Last year, donors like the MTN service provider, also sank millions of naira in the fishing fiesta.

    In rebranding Nwonyo, the people also have to be conscious of maintaining the right balance in the eco-system. As such, Suntai turned the annual festival into a biennial event, to allow the fish to mature. That is why the festival was only observed by the locals but would not hold in full swing this year.

    But preparations to hold the fishing fiesta in style next year are building up. By then, the great lake would be 100 years! It is important to note that Nwonyo fishing festival began in 1914 but was brought to public eye by former Governor Jolly Nyame, who upgraded its process to a national and international status to have economic benefits.

    By next year, the tourism site must have been transformed into an industry where Taraba’s teeming youths will find jobs and the state itself will no longer regret the fact that it does not have oil.

    For instance, the socio-economic lifestyle of more than half of the natives in Ibi and other towns in the state, contrasts sharply with the nature’s benevolence. Signs of decay, hunger and disease are manifest even as the people battle with the vicious cycle of poverty.

    A scrutiny of the standard of living of residents along the Wukari-Ibi Road that lead to the fishing site reveals poverty and bliss spiting at each other. It is a paradox of a place richly blessed with natural endowments, but its people wallowing in misery.

    The road to the area (beginning from Wukari) yearns for development. Infrastructural facilities must be built, not only at the tourism site, but in Ibi town, to speed up massive development. That has not been done yet.

    In the 2010 edition, the wife of the president, Patience Jonathan, noted that “tourism is important for the development of the people and potentialities of the nation and must not be under-utilised”.

    “Tourism unifies the people and bridges them closer to their cultures. And it is an effervescent industry that creates wealth,” she said, adding: “The business of tourism is capital intensive, I therefore call on the private sector to help rebrand and promote the nation’s tourism to obtain an enviable position on the world tourism map.”