The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has said new investments in Nigeria’s fisheries sector must strengthen, rather than displace, the millions of Nigerians whose livelihoods depend on artisanal fishing.
Oyetola stated this when he received a team of Turkish fishing investors, CRD Impex, led by Mr. Cem Tarhan, in his office in Abuja.
He assured the investors of the Federal Government’s commitment to creating an investment-friendly environment capable of attracting credible local and international investments into the marine and blue economy.
The minister identified inadequate infrastructure, limited access to modern fishing technology, processing and storage constraints, weak cold-chain systems and poor market access as major challenges confronting the artisanal fisheries sub-sector.
He noted, however, that the challenges also presented significant opportunities for investment, particularly in modernising the fisheries value chain and improving the productivity and livelihoods of local producers.
According to him, government’s approach is to convert the challenges into opportunities while ensuring that investments remain inclusive and sustainable.
“We welcome investors who can bring capital, technology, expertise and modern value-chain solutions to the sector. However, investment must be inclusive and sustainable. It must complement and empower our artisanal fish producers, not undermine their livelihoods,” Oyetola said.
Earlier, Tarhan said the company was in Nigeria to explore investment opportunities in fisheries and aquaculture, adding that CRD Impex had extensive experience in the sector in Turkey and was keen to deploy its expertise and investment capacity in Nigeria.
As part of the engagement, the Turkish investors, accompanied by officials of the Ministry, visited fisheries and aquaculture facilities across the country to assess opportunities and gain first-hand knowledge of Nigeria’s fisheries value chain.
Facilities visited included the Kirikiri Lighter Terminal and Ozumba Mbadiwe Fish Market, Lekki, both in Lagos, as well as Esuk Nsidung Beach Market, a major waterfront seafood hub in Esiere Ebom, Henshaw Town, Calabar, Cross River State.
