The Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, has officially flagged off the maiden fish harvest at the Bayelsa Aquaculture Village in Yenegwe. The revived facility is expected to play a significant role in diversifying the state's economy, creating jobs, and strengthening food security. Governor Diri described the revival of the aquaculture facility as a major step towards transforming Bayelsa's natural resources into productive enterprises that would benefit the people.
The Bayelsa Aquaculture Village, established by the immediate past administration in the state, had remained moribund for years due to a stalled concession arrangement. However, Governor Diri's administration has repositioned the facility under its Assured Prosperity programme. The governor noted that although oil and gas play a significant role in the state's development, their finite nature and fluctuating fortunes make it necessary to explore other economic opportunities.
Governor Diri emphasized that his administration is investing in agriculture, aquaculture, and the blue economy, alongside education and the energy sector. He explained that efforts to revive the facility after he assumed office in 2020 were unsuccessful due to the contractual agreement, which led to the termination of the non-performing concession and recovery of the asset for the state. The governor disclosed that his administration had earlier spent about N200 million in an attempt to revive the facility.
The Governor commended President Bola Tinubu for establishing the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, describing it as a recognition of the economic potential of Nigeria's coastal communities. Bayelsa and the Ijaw nation are direct beneficiaries of the ministry's creation, which provides an opportunity for the state to strengthen its relationship with the Federal Government and advance its marine and blue economy agenda.
The Commissioner for Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Faith Zibs-Godwin, disclosed that the facility, covering approximately 831 hectares, comprises an 80-tank hatchery, 40 nursery ponds, 500 grow-out ponds, a feed mill with two production lines, and a processing centre with 30 smoking kilns. The hatchery has produced about 100,000 fish fry, while a 30,000-fish monosex tilapia pilot has also been undertaken to diversify production.
Dr. Zibs-Godwin called on credible investors and technical partners to support the expansion of the facility's production, processing, cold-chain distribution, and access to wider domestic and export markets. Representative of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Prof. Busayo Fakinlede, commended the Diri administration for reviving the facility and assured the state of the Federal Government's commitment to supporting its marine and blue economy development.
The Federal Government has approved the Agge Deep Seaport, describing it as a major step towards developing Bayelsa's maritime infrastructure. The presidential aide said Governor Diri had been assured that the project would be realised before the end of his tenure. The government's support for the state's blue economy initiatives is expected to contribute to national food and protein security.
Key points
- The Bayelsa Aquaculture Village has been revived with an 80-tank hatchery, 40 nursery ponds, and 500 grow-out ponds.
- The facility has produced about 100,000 fish fry and undertaken a 30,000-fish monosex tilapia pilot.
- The Federal Government has approved the Agge Deep Seaport to develop Bayelsa's maritime infrastructure.
