Dave Ikiedei Asei
(BLUE AND
GREEN REVOLUTION REPORTER)
23/05/2015
Introduction
Bayelsa aqua-culture farm to generate N3.5bn annually, this
was revealed in a chat with Blue and Green Revolution reporter, the
Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Honourable Doodei Agbabou
Week..
He also said that the vast farm estate, located on 27
hectres of land is at Yenegwe, suburb of Yenagoa, in the state is expected to
provide employment to about 16,000 youths when fully operational.
The farm has a hatchery, earth ponds, feed mill and fish
processing unit.
He said that the project was part of efforts to diversify
the state’s economy. His words: “The vision of the governor for the project is
to make Bayelsa the fish hub and rake in an annual income of not less than N3.5
billion. “Processed, packaged and branded Bayelsa fish will be produced here.
Production has already started with 500 earth fish ponds with many of our
youths already engaged.
Apart from
employment, he said it will generate a lot of economic activities. We are
looking at about 16,000 jobs to be generated here directly or indirectly. We
want to diversify our economy. “This is a clear vision of the governor. This
farm estate will be replicated in all the local government areas. As we
speak, Southern Ijaw farm has started. In Sagbama, Nembe, land acquisition is
going on. This project will ensure we stop importation of fish”.
Governor Dickson sees far into the future, that is why he
has constructed the Aquaculture village. And to make it work, he has appointed
an expert in this field in person of Honourable Doodei Agbabou Week, a man with
great insight, vision and productive ideas. He is a round peg in a round hole.
Today, one of the great promises of the countryman Governor as he is popularly
called, His Excellency Henry Seriake Dickson has been fulfilled. No wonder, he
is known as the “talk na do” Governor (he does whatever he says).
As part of the measures to achieve this, the state government
has handed over the management of a
multi-Billion Naira aquaculture village built by Governor Seriake Dickson to a
private firm, Aquaseas Company Limited.
A visit to the Bayelsa State Aquaculture Village will
convince you that Bayela State has begun the process of industrialization, as this
project is just one of the numerous industries built and others like the
Ebedebiri Cassava and Starch Processing factory which is 80% completed, the
reorganized Bayelsa Palm and other productive establishments that are on-going.
Bravo! Henry Seriake Dickson.
Bravo! Hon. Doodei A. Week.
Bravo! The great people of Bayelsa State.
