The Aquatic Biosecurity Awareness Foundation (ABAC), an environmental NGO, has urged the Federal Government to curb the smuggling of alien species of aquatic organisms into the country.
Mr Chukwudi Chukwu, the Chairman of the foundation, made the call on Tuesday in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.
Chukwu said the greatest impunity in the environment sector was the smuggling of alien live species of aquatic organisms, stressing the practice had grave implications for human health.
The Aquatic Biosecurity Awareness Foundation (ABAC), an environmental NGO, has urged the Federal Government to curb the smuggling of alien species of aquatic organisms into the country.
Mr Chukwudi Chukwu, the Chairman of the foundation, made the call on Tuesday in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.
Chukwu said the greatest impunity in the environment sector was the smuggling of alien live species of aquatic organisms, stressing the practice had grave implications for human health.
He observed that those involved in the business were more concerned with economic gains rather than the risk to bio-diversity and public health.
He also urged the Federal Government to checkmate the storage and sale of unwholesome fish to unsuspecting members of the public, to guard against infectious diseases.
According to him, the importation and storage of unwholesome fish is a more heinous crime, because it is a deliberate attempt to poison Nigerians and a clear case of bio-terrorism.
Meanwhile, Chukwu commended Dr Akinwumi Adesina, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, for his efforts to sanitise the fish industry.
“The greatest impunity of industry players includes the smuggling of alien live species of aquatic organisms, which has grave implications for bio-diversity and human health.
“They have apparently been more concerned about economic gains rather than the risk to bio-diversity and public health.
“We are happy that the Minister of Agriculture is addressing these issues but the government needs to step up commitment to do away with this impunity.
“Our bio-diversity is being affected as people import fish that are not wholesome for our consumption.’’
The chairman also advised the government to strengthen the capacity of the National Quarantine Services to ensure compliance with border importation protocols.
He also suggested a strong legislation that would regulate the importation fish which pose a threat to both the environment and health of the people.
He explained that some of the imported aquatic resources, if not properly checked, could contaminate the ecosystem and destroy `our local aquatic resources’.
He, however, stressed the need to encourage local production of fish, which he said, had the potential to reduce unemployment and create wealth.
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