Monrovia – The Government of Japan has agreed to construct a fishing port in the Buchanan, Grand Bassa County. The commitment was made Sunday, January 6, when a two-person Japanese government delegation had talks with authorities of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture.
The delegation comprises Dr. Naohiko Watanuki and Mr. Wataru Iwasaki, Senior Consultant and Architect respectively of the Japanese-owned Overseas Agri-Fisheries Consultants Limited (OAFIC Co., Ltd.).
OAFIC Ltd. is one of Japan’s largest comprehensive consulting companies specializing in the fisheries, livestock, agriculture and other related sectors including environment.
According to a NaFAA release, the Japanese delegation is expected to carry out a three-day visit of major fishing communities in Buchanan city and its environs, with the goal of conducting feasibility for the construction of a fishing port in Buchanan.
Following a meeting with the Director General and management team of NaFAA, the head of delegation, Dr. Naohiko lauded NaFAA management for efforts made in strengthening bilateral relations with the fisheries authorities of Japan.
He also expressed his government’s interest in exploring the possibility for the provision of motorized fishing boats for artisanal fishermen across Liberia to isolate the attending disadvantage encountered by local fishermen when using the peddling canoes, as opposed to their foreign counterparts.
Receiving the delegation, the Director General of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority, Madam Emma Metieh-Glassco recounted several meetings that have been held between the two governments both in Tokyo and Monrovia, which have been geared towards strengthening bilateral relationship as well as exploring investment opportunities in the sector.
Director General Glassco welcomed the move by her Japanese counterpart to explore the possibility of constructing an infrastructure for a fishing village in Buchanan.
She proposed a replication of the Japanese constructed fishing port project in Lomé, Togo which she thinks is sophisticated and meets acceptable international standards.
According to the NaFAA boss, the selection of Buchanan for the proposed project is best suited, as it is the second largest coastal county in the country next to Montserrado, with a total of 22 fishing communities.