Oborevwori Boosts Riverine Economy With 50 Fishing Boats, Outboard Engines
By BLESSING AGWE ODUGO
Boosting Fishing and Livelihoods
DELTA State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has distributed 50 fishing boats, 15-horsepower Yamaha outboard engines and fishing nets to fishermen in three Warri local government areas.
The beneficiaries come from Warri North, Warri South and Warri South-West.
The governor said the intervention would strengthen fishing activities, raise incomes and support food security in the riverine communities.
First Batch of Wider Intervention
The government commissioned and handed over the equipment to beneficiaries at Koko, headquarters of Warri North Local Government Area, on Monday.
The Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Dennis Guwor, represented the governor at the ceremony.
Oborevwori said the initiative formed part of his administration’s commitment to giving riverine communities productive assets.
He noted that fishing remains central to the economic and social life of the communities. However, many fishermen still work with inadequate equipment despite the difficult conditions they face.
The governor said the new equipment would help beneficiaries fish more efficiently, increase their catches and create better economic opportunities for their families.
Government Plans Wider Coverage
Oborevwori also disclosed that the distribution represents the first phase of the programme.
He directed the Ministry of Riverine Infrastructure Development to extend the intervention to other riverine local government areas across the state.
The governor urged beneficiaries to protect and maintain the boats, engines and nets. He stressed that the government provided the equipment to strengthen livelihoods and stimulate local economic activity.
He also promised further investment in access roads, landing jetties and other riverine infrastructure.
According to him, better infrastructure will help communities reduce post-harvest losses and move fish and other agricultural produce to markets more efficiently.
Boats Designed for Riverine Conditions
Commissioner for Riverine Infrastructure Development, Chief Ebikeme Clark, described the programme as a fulfilment of a key commitment to Delta’s riverine communities.
Clark said the government specially constructed the boats to withstand tidal conditions.
He added that the boats would support both fishing expeditions and the transportation of agricultural produce.
The commissioner said the equipment would allow fishermen to travel farther and spend more productive hours on the water.
Faster transportation, he added, would help beneficiaries get their produce to markets before spoilage and improve their profitability.
Beneficiaries Promise Proper Use
Stanley Agbosa, who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, thanked the governor for the intervention.
He assured the government that the beneficiaries would use the equipment responsibly to increase their yields and contribute to food security.
The ceremony attracted government officials, lawmakers, traditional rulers, community leaders, local government chairmen and representatives of fishermen and farmers’ associations.
