*Facility Will Boost Food Security, Create Jobs, Drive Blue Economy - Gov Diri*
Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, on Tuesday flagged off the maiden fish harvest at the revamped Bayelsa Aquaculture Village in Yenegwe, Yenagoa Local Government Area, describing the facility as a major leap in the state's economic diversification, job creation and food security agenda.
In a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Daniel Alabrah, Governor Diri said the revival of the aquaculture village demonstrates his administration's resolve to convert Bayelsa's natural aquatic endowment into productive enterprises that directly benefit the people.
According to the statement, the facility, which was established by the immediate past administration, remained moribund for years due to a stalled concession arrangement until it was recovered and repositioned under the present ASSURED Prosperity administration.
The statement quoted Governor Diri as saying that while oil and gas have played significant roles in the state's development, their finite and unpredictable fortunes make it urgent to explore sustainable alternatives.
"Our future must now be built on our waters. Our fathers and forefathers relied on these waters. These waters gave them life, and these waters fed them. That is why our administration is investing in agriculture, aquaculture and the blue economy alongside education and the energy sector," the Governor was quoted as saying.
The statement explained that attempts to revive the facility after assumption of office in 2020 failed due to the subsisting contractual agreement, despite an initial intervention of about N200 million by the state government.
It added that government was eventually compelled to terminate the non-performing concession and recover the asset to protect public funds already invested and to put state resources to productive use.
Governor Diri, the statement said, commended President Bola Tinubu for establishing the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, describing it as a recognition of the vast economic potentials of Nigeria's coastal communities, with Bayelsa and the Ijaw nation as direct beneficiaries.
The Governor also appreciated the technical support of CSS Farms, Nasarawa State, and the cooperation of the host communities.
The statement further disclosed that Governor Diri has directed the Commissioner for Works to assess the deteriorated Igbogene road linking the facility for immediate rehabilitation, and has ordered the release of additional funds for the completion of the alternate road connecting the village to the Glory Drive.
It noted that the state's ambition goes beyond fish production to developing a complete fisheries value-chain covering processing, cold-chain transportation, marketing and trade, urging youths to embrace fish farming and entrepreneurship as the facility would serve as a training ground for students and aspiring aquaculture practitioners.
Earlier, the statement said, the Commissioner for Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Faith Zibs-Godwin, described the maiden harvest as the revival of a major public investment, revealing that the 831-hectare facility comprises an 80-tank hatchery, 40 nursery ponds, 500 grow-out ponds, a feed mill with two production lines, and a processing centre with 30 smoking kilns and other supporting infrastructure.
Dr. Zibs-Godwin was quoted as saying the hatchery has produced about 100,000 fish fry, with a 30,000-fish monosex tilapia pilot also undertaken, while fresh spawning for the next production cycle has commenced, with students from the Niger Delta University and NYSC members receiving practical training at the facility.
Also, the Representative of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Prof. Busayo Fakinlede, commended the Diri administration and disclosed that the World Bank has selected Bayelsa as a cluster for marine and rural economy development, while the Federal Government has approved the Agge Deep Seaport, with assurance that it would be realised before the end of Governor Diri's tenure.
The event was attended by the wife of the governor, Dr. Gloria Diri, Deputy Governor, Dr. Peter Akpe, Senator representing Bayelsa Central, Dr. Konbowei Benson, member representing Kolokuma/Opokuma/Yenagoa Federal Constituency, Hon. Oforji Oboku, Head of Service, Dr. Wisdom Sawyer, acting Chief of Staff, Mr. Iroro Komonibo, the Obenibe of Epie Kingdom, King Malla Sasime and other top government functionaries and stakeholders.
