MAYOWAAK: While frozen fish are caught in the high seas in Asia, Europe and America, from where we import, our dominant domestic product is catfish, which is a little bit expensive for the poor. The varieties of imported frozen fish, which are the staple of poor Nigerians, are not produced locally, at least not yet in commercial quantity. These are herring (shawa), sardine, horse mackerel (kote), sardinella (agbodu), and whiting (panla or Okporoko). Our underdeveloped trawling industry is seriously encumbered with security and pollution issues. I am yet to see a roadmap to address these issues. Even though we may have potential in salt-water fish, only the catfish has become accustomed to breeding and farming in Nigeria. Others have not been successful. They are either too expensive to breed or do not adapt to our local conditions.
Since the rationale for import bans is import-substitution, what then is the sense in banning what you cannot produce locally? There are various implications. Nigerians cannot be forced to switch to catfish overnight.

Also, frozen fish will still find its way into our market through Benin Republic, only that it will become more expensive, logically. There could be some social disorder if the major source of healthy animal protein is cut off from millions of poor homes. What is the likely economic and nutritional impact on the masses? How long will this impact last? Can we actually eliminate some species of fish from our market and our diet? What alternatives can we develop and how long will it take to develop them? Has the government properly thought through this policy?

Get me right: I am not saying that we should continue to import frozen fish forever. Far, far from it! However, government must do proper impact assessment before rolling out a policy that could affect the lives of over 100 million Nigerians. A well-intentioned policy that is poorly conceived and poorly timed will have a devastating effect on the people. I don’t think any government would like that. Luckily, the drawing board is still there for our policymakers. They must do their home work properly.

berem: Arrant nonsense! Oh boy, when last did you buy fish in the market? As i speak to you, All kinds of fish that are in the market are phucking expensive. Please don't say what you don't know. na we wey dey go market go tell you wetin dey happen!

Berem...

When last did you cook for me?!

Tolexander: at no cost?

Okija_juju:

Berem...

When last did you cook for me?!

berem: Who cares? Fish is more expensive than frozen chicken. Thank God for my neighbor who gives me fresh fish at no cost every week. He's a sailor BTW.

Tolexander: Make dem no ban the importation of shark o.

Jonathan has foresight. Trying to prepare a nice retirement after 2015 of course he is a fisherman. just like obasanjo is doing in his farm.

nickz: No fish importation for the main time #ALPHA BEACH TINS.

berem: Arrant nonsense! Oh boy, when last did you buy fish in the market? As i speak to you, All kinds of fish that are in the market are phucking expensive. Please don't say what you don't know. na we wey dey go market go tell you wetin dey happen!

ceejay80s: u go live wit ur neighbour 4ever? ï

Asabeq: Did u read his post at all like an educated lady?

[

Symphony007: These are some of the things that really makes my blood boil. Just imagine the amount of fish, amatuer fishermen are producing, just imagine if they had modern fishing boats and trawlers, it is will produce more fish for us, some to exports, provide employment for the fishermen, the fisherment will get more money to spend, the more money they spend the better the ecobomy gets, the fishermen pay tax to the government, the government gets foreign exchange and internal revenue. The government is always talking about developing the economy, they don't know that one thing leads to another.

Longeria: Hmm.@ no cost? A sailor gives you fish every week without collecting "THAT THING" from you?


Berem, look into my eyes and confess that you are a habitual liar.

Longeria: Hmm.@ no cost? A sailor gives you fish every week without collecting "THAT THING" from you?


Berem, look into my eyes and confess that you are a habitual liar.

saintkola: Not a bad move tho..

nuceo: It will go a long way to boost the economy

adanny01:

That is from Otta farm.

Longeria: Hmm.@ no cost? A sailor gives you fish every week without collecting "THAT THING" from you?


Berem, look into my eyes and confess that you are a habitual liar.

berem: Okija, when last did you give me money to cook for you? abi make i go thief for market?

JESUS OF IBARI OGWA?!

Okija_juju:


JESUS OF IBARI OGWA?!

Babalegba: Idiotic government, so now the poor will not be able to afford the only source of protein affordable to them.

berem: Who cares? Fish is more expensive than frozen chicken. Thank God for my neighbor who gives me fresh fish at no cost every week. He's a sailor BTW.

weazley: nonsense, I thought frozen chicken was banned a couple of yrs bac? I just bought 2 kilos dis morning,

berem: ehe?

ngozievergreen:

***falls into Nyaba Stream***

Mr President: Good analysis. And for over a year now issuance of licences to import fish has been put on hold. Technically any frozen fish in the market is unlicensed and illegally imported.