?The Federal Government on Monday commenced the distribution of free fishing implements worth N20 million to 3, 000 fishermen affected by the 2012 flood disaster in Niger.
The ?state Director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development mr Bello Salihu disclosed this while inaugurating the distribution of the implements in Shiroro Local Government Area of the state.
“We have 750 groups across 15 local government areas of the state to benefit from the free fishing implements.
“Each group is made up of 4 fishermen making a total of 3, 000 fishermen??, he said
He ?said the fishing implements distributed to the fishermen include fishing nets, floaters, sinkers, head and leg ropes.
He said the gesture is aimed at cushioning the effect of the 2012 flooding on the fishermen in the state
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The director said the affected local governments include Lavun, Mokwa, Lapai, Katcha, Agaie, Edati, Gbako and Shiroro with 50, 70, 60, 60, 50, 20, 30 and 100 groups respectively.
Others are Munya, Gurara, Agwara, Borgu, Mashegu, Wushishi and Tafa local governments with 20, 20, 60, 100, 20, 20 and 70 groups each
He said the affected fishermen were identified by the federal ministry of agriculture in collaboration with the state Ministry of Livestock and Fishery Development.
Salihu said the implements would last the fishermen five years, adding that the exercise would continue until it gets to fishermen in the remaining local governments.
Responding, on behalf of the beneficiaries in Siroro local government, Alhaji Isah Tudu, chairman of fishermen in the area said they would put the fishing implements into good use.
He said it was the first time they were receiving such from the government, adding that “this gesture shows that we have a government that care for us??.
Also speaking, Alhaji Shaba Mohammed, director, fishery development with the state ministry of livestock and fishery development commended the federal government for the gesture.
Mohammed said the free fishing implements would go a long way in improving the lives of the local fishermen by creating wealth and more jobs for them.
He urged the beneficiaries to make good use of the implements as his ministry would go round to monitor them.
