Bakassi Exhibits Potentials in Fish Production

Peter Efande

20 April 2010

The first-ever fish festival, organised in Bekumu, grouped the entire fishing community of the Bakassi Peninsula.

Bekumu, one of the largest villages in Bamusso Sub-Division, was the venue of an event that shall remain memorable in the annals of the people of Bakassi. It hosted the first-ever fish festival that brought together the entire fishing community of Bakassi. They impressively answered present for the two-day event with varieties of fish products.

Chaired by the Minister of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries, Dr. Aboubakar Sarki, the festival was a laudable initiative for several reasons. As elucidated by the Minister in his speech, include: mobilising all Nigerian and Cameroonian fishermen to exhibit different fish products, promote fishing in the Bakassi zone, promote peaceful co-existence between natives and foreigners as stipulated by the GreenTree Agreement and to encourage harmonious relations among foreign fishermen, traditional rulers, administrative and municipal authorities. Dr. Aboubakar Sarki did not mince words when he revealed the following statistics. Between 2008 and 2009, the Government has (through his Ministry) invested more than CFA 367 million in the building of infrastructure, provision of equipment and training in the Bakassi zone.

In terms of training and support to fishermen, 11 Common Initiative Groups (CIG's) trained and organized under the Support Programme for the Development of Small Scale Fishing in Maritime Zones; received assistance worth CFA 50,650,000 comprising donations such as canoes, fishing equipments, security material for CFA 33 million and credits amounting to CFA 17,650,000 in the form of outboard engines. The Minister also donated equipment and fishing material worth CFA 50 million to associations of fishermen in the Bakassi zone. But this is not all. For the 2010 financial year, he revealed that Government will pursue its activities by further providing infrastructure for production, marketing and conservation of fish products such as improved smoke ovens, cold stores and ice-factory units in Barracks, Issobo and Idabato. Moreover, there are plans to construct and equip new buildings for devolved services of Fisheries and Livestock in Idabato, Ngosso, Akwa, Big Belley and Djangassa, among others. These investments, estimated at CFA 231 million would, when added to the various contributions, give a total amount of CFA 700 million in next three years.

With these encouraging measuring, there's optimism for a significant increase in fish production and we may soon have better quality products in sufficient quantities in our domestic markets. But this will depend on the rational and sustainable management of resources put at the disposal of all the stakeholders. The next edition of the Bakassi Fish Festival has been slated for Akwa in 2012.