Rivers State Embraces Deep-Sea Fishing, Acquires Fishing Trawlers

Rivers State Government has  entered into partnership with a private organisation; Messrs Vijons Investments Nigeria Limited to operate the state’s Trawler Fish Scheme. The Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiative will see the company operate the five fishing trawlers that were recently procured by the state government.
The landmark event was witnessed by the state Governor, Rotimi Amaechi who also signed on behalf of the state government, while Hon. Kurotamunoye Briggs, special adviser to the Governor on Aquaculture and deep see fishing and the special adviser to the president on National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP), Dr. Magnus Kpakol were among dignitaries who witnessed the ceremony.
The development coincided with fresh revelations that the state government has concluded arrangements with the Chinese government to send 25 youths of Rivers State origin for deep-sea fishing training in China.
On their return, the trainees are expected to man the five trawlers that were recently purchased by the state government. They are also expected to pass on the training received to others in the country.
But, speaking after signing the partnership agreement, Hon. Briggs congratulated the company for emerging as the preferred partner and enjoined it to abide by the articles of the agreement. He said the government would be very strict in its monitoring and supervision of the scheme.
According to the special adviser the vision of the state governor, is to exploit the vast and rich potentials of industrial fishing for the empowerment of the people, in order to bring about reduction in poverty and check youth restiveness in the state.
Also speaking at the ceremony, the special adviser to the president on National Poverty Eradication Programme commended Governor Amaechi for following due process in the selection of the partner. He pledged the readiness of NAPEP to partner with Rivers State government in implementing programmes which, according to him is aimed at eradicating poverty and promoting economic development.