The Federal
Government yesterday denied reports that it had banned the importation of frozen
fish into the country.
The Minister of
Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, said that the
government had only imposed stricter controls on fish imports in order to
encourage the growth of local fish farming and production.
“The ministry
has decided to regulate and monitor the quantity and species that each fish
importer will be able to import to ensure that Nigeria is not used as a dumping
ground but only imports what she actually needs, to stop the practice of stock
piling frozen fish in cold rooms for weeks before selling, thereby making the
fish unwholesome.
"Nigerians
deserve to eat fresh frozen fish not rotten and rancid fish. The health of
Nigerians is of prime importance to the government.”
Adesina declared
a 25% annual reduction in fish importation, and all fish importers must also
engage in fish farming in order to limit the dependence on imports.
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