The House of Representatives on Wednesday sought
a phased ban on the importation of fish into the country in a bid to boost
local production of fish.
It also said such a ban would encourage local
fish farmers to support the Federal Government’s economic diversification
policy.
Lawmakers passed the resolution after debating a
motion moved by Mr. Tasir Olawale-Raji.
The session, which was presided over by the
Speaker, Mr. Yakubu Dogara, also observed that unrestricted importation had
turned Nigeria to a dumping ground for all manner of fish, some of which were
not good for human consumption.
The full details of the motion read, “The House
notes that the diversification of the economy away from crude oil through key
sectors such as agriculture, remains pivotal to the realisation of the economic
recovery and growth plan of the present administration.
“The House also notes that the fisheries
sub-sector, which is a vital component of Nigeria’s agriculture and the
national economy, accounting for about four per cent of the country’s Gross
Domestic Product, has remained largely under-developed, despite having the
potential to provide cheap sources of protein, income, employment and foreign
exchange.
“The House is aware that the local production
from artisanal fishing, aqua culture and industrial captures estimated at about
800,000 metric tonnes, accounts for only 30 per cent of the total annual fish
demand estimated at 2.7million metric tonnes.
“Also aware that Nigeria has, over the years,
resorted to importation to meet the deficit of about 1.9 million metric tonnes
in domestic fish supply at an estimated cost of $625m in foreign exchange
annually.
“The House further notes that the escalating
demand for foreign exchange for fish importation is not sustainable in the
light of the huge pressure on the country’s foreign reserves and fluctuating
earnings from crude oil.
“Concerned that Nigeria has now become a dumping
ground for all manners of frozen fish, most of which are unwholesome in quality
and highly detrimental to the health of consumers.
“Cognisant that with the abundant marine and
inland fisheries resources comprising 923,768 kms land area, 47,934 kms
continental shelf, 853 kms of coastline, network of rivers, flood plain,
natural and man-made lakes, Nigeria has all it takes to become self-sufficient
in fish production and also become a major hub of fish exportation in the West
African Sub-region.
“The House is convinced that the Federal
Government needs to vigorously pursue the goal of self-sufficiency in fish
production so as to ensure food security and reserve for export.”
The resolution specifically directed the House
Committees on Agricultural Production and Services/Water Resources to meet with
the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, the Central Bank of Nigeria and the
Nigeria Customs Service to “develop a policy framework for the implementation
of a phased ban on the importation of fish and fish products so as to create an
enabling environment for increased private sector investments in the fisheries
sub-sector.”
In a separate resolution, the House also called
on the government to put measures in place to ensure the full utilisation of
the Ikorodu Light Terminal.
A member from Lagos State, Mr. Jimi Benson, who
moved a motion on the state of the terminal, told the House that it had
remained under-utilised for many years, resulting in job losses.
Benson argued that putting the terminal to proper
use would make it become another export gateway for the country.
The motion was passed in a unanimous voice vote
by lawmakers.
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