From Suleiman Amagbor, in Lagos
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola has described the multiplicity and duplication of same roles by different government agencies at the nation’s seaports as a hindrance to the federal government’s national policy on the ease of doing business.
The Minister said that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is purposeful in its determination to serve and assist Nigerians through the enactment of its welfarist policies.
Oyetola spoke on the second day of a “Stakeholders Engagement on Enhanced Activities in the Blue Economy sector” meeting put together by the Ministry in Lagos.
According to him, the President administration’s policy on the ease of doing business remains a focal example as the policy was introduced to ensure that impediments to conducive business operations in Nigeria alongside tax reviews are assessed, pruned and simplified.
At the forum, the Indigenous Fish Importers and Exporters Association had complained of its frustrations with the laboratory and sampling test carried out by both the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) which it termed unnecessary.
Oyetola noted that the time and number of samples taken alongside levies and taxes paid poses a serious challenge to the sub-sector and its members.
The stakeholders urged the Minister to engage the agencies and have their activities streamlined under one body.
Responding, Oyetola assured them that the federal government will find solutions to the challenges, adding that fish exportation is another source of foreign exchange for the country and allowing such hindrances to linger on will ultimately affect the government’s revenue outlook.
He said challenges such as accelerated laboratory sampling, delay in the issuance of licence certificates amongst others will be taken upon by the Director of fishery and aquaculture in the Ministry.
Meanwhile, Acting National Secretary, National Fish Importers and Exporters Association of Nigeria, Chidike Ukoh affirmed that the sub-sector has the capacity to meet local demands.
Chidike urged the Minister on the need for the establishment of a security outfit with the mandate of securing the lives and properties of fishermen, citing instances of the establishment of agro rangers for the agric sector and Mining marshals, husbanding and protecting miners.
Also speaking, the National Vice President, Tilapia Aquaculture Developers Association of Nigeria (TADAN), Nurudeen Tiamiyu, said other derivatives from the Blue Economy include finfish, seaweed, urchins and crustaceans farming.
