By Seun Ibiyemi
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola, has called for inclusive investment in Nigeria’s fisheries sector, stressing that new investments must improve the livelihoods of artisanal fishers rather than displace the millions of Nigerians who depend on the sector.
Oyetola made the call when he received a delegation of Turkish fishing investors from CRD Impex, led by Cem Tarhan, at his office.
The minister assured the investors that the Federal Government was committed to creating an investment-friendly environment capable of attracting credible local and international investments into Nigeria’s marine and blue economy.
L-R: Founder and CEO of CRD Impex, Hanefi Cardak; Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola; and General Manager, Fisheries at CRD Impex, Cem Tarhan, during a courtesy visit by the Turkish fisheries and aquaculture investment team to the minister’s office in Abuja, recently.
Oyetola identified inadequate infrastructure, limited access to modern fishing technology, processing and storage challenges, weak cold-chain systems and poor market access as some of the major constraints affecting Nigeria’s artisanal fisheries sector.
He, however, said the challenges also represented significant investment opportunities, particularly in modernising the fisheries value chain and improving the productivity and incomes of local fish producers.
According to him, the government’s strategy is to convert the challenges confronting the sector into opportunities while ensuring that investments remain inclusive and sustainable.
“We welcome investors who can bring capital, technology, expertise and modern value-chain solutions to the sector. However, investment must be inclusive and sustainable. It must complement and empower our artisanal fish producers, not undermine their livelihoods,” Oyetola said.
The Turkish delegation said it was in Nigeria to explore investment opportunities in the fishing industry.
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Tarhan said CRD Impex had extensive experience in fisheries and aquaculture in Turkey and was interested in bringing its technical expertise and investment capacity to Nigeria.
L-R: Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Mrs Fatima Mahmood; Founder and CEO of CRD Impex, Hanefi Cardak; Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola; General Manager, Fisheries at CRD Impex, Cem Tarhan; and Founder, Tetra Underwater Services and Marine Construction, Ersun Buyukgoze. during a courtesy visit by the Turkish fisheries and aquaculture investment team to the minister’s office in Abuja, recently.
He said the company was assessing opportunities across Nigeria’s fisheries value chain as part of efforts to determine areas where Turkish expertise and capital could be deployed.
As part of the engagement, the Turkish investors, accompanied by officials of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, visited several fisheries and aquaculture facilities across the country.
The visits were aimed at providing the investors with first-hand knowledge of Nigeria’s fisheries value chain and helping them assess potential investment opportunities.
Among the facilities visited were the Kirikiri Lighter Terminal and Ozumba Mbadiwe Fish Market in Lagos.
The delegation also visited Esuk Nsidung Beach Market, a major waterfront seafood and trading hub in Esiere Ebom, Henshaw Town, Calabar, Cross River State.
The Federal Government said investments that combine capital, modern technology, improved processing, cold-chain infrastructure and access to wider markets could help strengthen Nigeria’s fisheries value chain while creating opportunities for local fish producers.
