THE Niger State Government says it will disburse N2.5 million as starter packs to 50 graduates of the National Institute for Freshwater Fisheries Research, to establish their own businesses. He said that each of the 20 benefitting graduates from the fisheries research institute, New Bussa, would get N50, 000 to set up a fish pond as part of state government’s effort at improving fish production in the state. “Records have shown that Nigeria imports about 75 percent of fish for consumption; Empowering our youths to go into fish farming will increase our production of fish and reduce fish importation into the country. “Fish contains nutrients that are very beneficial to human health when compared to other kinds of meat eaten by humans; that is why we are encouraging more fish production in the state,” he said. Duku, however, noted that the ministry would ensure proper monitoring of the beneficiaries’ progress to ensure that the fund given to them as starter packs were judiciously utilised.

Source: Nigerian Tribune January 19, 2018 13:40 UTC