The Departmental Committee on Agriculture and Livestock in the National Assembly is this week conducting inspection visits on projects under the State Department for Fisheries Acquaculture and the Blue economy, in the coastal region.
The Committee chaired by Moiben MP, Hon. Silas Tiren started by paying a courtesy call to Coast Regional Commissioner, Mr. John Elungata who applauded the Committee for undertaking this important inspection visit to assess the status of these projects, and welcomed the Members to Mombasa and Coastal region at large.
The Committee was accompanied by Mvita Member of Parliament, Hon. Abdulswamad Sharif. However, only a section of the Committee is undertaking the tour with the rest of the Committee Members holding public petition hearings in Kirinyaga, Embu and Meru Counties.
The Committee has urged the State Department of Fisheries, Acquaculture and Blue Economy to maximize the country’s potential on these sectors’ contribution to the economy.
This push is informed by the fact that Kenya has a huge Blue economy potential through its Ocean coverage which is about 40% of her land mass. If tapped well and supported by government this sector can generate up to Kshs. 45 Billions per year.
Addressing the Committee Members, the Ministry officials noted that the Fisheries sector in Kenya contributes to food security; creates employment opportunities; contributes to the rural development and is a source of income to thousands of people in the region.
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They indicated that the Fisheries Department’s projects and programmes are geared towards addressing challenges facing the sector by creating an enabling environment for fisheries’ development, increased fish production while reducing fish harvest losses and improving the fish trade.
Some of the key Fisheries Department’s projects that the Committee Members are expected to inspect include:-
1) the Proposed renovation and rehabilitation works at the Liwatoni Fisheries Complex;
2) the Proposed rehabilitation and remodeling of fish processing plant at Liwatoni Fisheries Complex;
3) the Proposed construction of Cold room works at Liwatoni Fisheries Complex;
4) the Proposed laboratory works and reconstruction of perimeter fence at the fish Quality control laboratory;
5) the Proposed extension to the monitoring, control surveillance (MCS) Centre, among others.
The Committee further inspected the National fish quality control laboratory which was developed through funding from the government of Spain and which is now fully operational.
While visiting the monitoring control surveillance centre, the Members were perturbed upon learning that the vessel monitoring system was not functioning because of non payment of the annual subscription fee of about Kshs. 16 Million.
The Members have now tasked the State Department to sort out the issue as soon as possible to ensure that the system is up and running.
