Monrovia – In order to enhance productivity in the fishery sector, the National Fish Farmers Union of Liberia (NAFFUL) on Friday, March 16, 2018 held a brainstorming forum to enable members overcome challenges confronting the fishing industry.
The one-day forum was held at the YMCA in Monrovia under the theme: “Enhancing conflict prevention and peace consolidation through increased food security in the fishery sector,” with support from the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL).
Speaking to reporters following the meeting, the head of NAFFUL, Madam Kona S. Kollie, said the forum was intended to educate Liberians fish farmers on key preservation methods.
She noted that the meeting was also aimed at teaching members of the three cooperatives under NAFFUL to managed three storage facilities that were constructed by the organization in Buchanan, New Kru Town and West Point through the support of UNMIL.
“What we did was to first get those people, who were involved into artisanal fishing, into three separate cooperatives. And after that, we decided to build three storage facilities for members of the various cooperatives.”
“These members now are charged with the responsibilities to ensure that those facilities are properly used and managed. And to do just that, we needed to train them,” Madam Kollie indicated.
According to Madam Kollie, each of the three storage facilities contains seven large freezers that can preserve fish for the longest time possible.
Madam Kollie, who is also the head of the Young Women Organization (WOFIN), disclosed that the group has also decided to recruit some less fortunate Liberian youth otherwise known as “Zorgos” into the fishery sector by providing training for them.
“What we aim to realize under this very program is to buttress government’s pro-poor agenda by getting those youth off the streets to provide employment opportunity for them,” she explained.
Also speaking in an interview with this paper, one of the participants, in person of Patricia Jordiah, lauded Madam Kollie and the NAFFUL leadership for the training forum.
Patricia, a fish seller at the Duala Market and residence of the Popo Beach Community said the acquired knowledge that will enable them to make inroads in the fishery sector.
Popo Beach Community is situated in the Borough of New Kru Town on the Bushrod Island, outside Monrovia.