By Sulaiman Jalloh
Princess Dugba, the Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources has disclosed that, in 2023, her ministry generated about one hundred and nineteen million new Leones (NLe119million), noting that with the modalities being put in place, she expects a revenue generation rise in 2024.
She was speaking at the Ministry of Information and Civic Education weekly press briefing on Tuesday, January 30th, 2024 at the conference hall of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
The Fisheries Minister said her ministry does not only exist to push policies, but also mobilizes huge revenue for government.
According to Minister Dugba, the women in fishery have taken up the initiative in making sure that President Julius Maada Bio achieves his development agenda, especially on food security; while adding that rice and other crops are not the only focus points as fish is also important for consumption and healthy living.
Minister Dugba added that they have repaired the Sorie Ibrahim Koroma boat and that it will soon start plying the waters to monitor and stop illegal fishing in the country. He said negotiations are ongoing to get more vessels to monitor the sea so that the country will produce bigger and better fish for consumption and export.
The minister disclosed that they are working closely with the Office of the Chief Minister to remove barriers that are impeding Sierra Leone from exporting fish to Europe and other countries, nothing that a committee has already been set up in the Chief Minister’s office to ensure that Sierra Leone gets the European certificate which will allow the country to export fish in Europe.
Speaking on blue economy, Madam Princess Dugba said the economy has to do with the sea and that, as a ministry, they are exploring all efforts in making sure the sea in healthy by taking care of the marine resources, as according to her, that will ensure the safety of fishes, noting that it is good to protect the young fish until they grow bigger.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Friday, January 2nd, 2024 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)