Lake Albert fishermen ask government for special grant
Mbidi noted that even though the government has put in place several projects, like Emyooga and the Parish Development Model (PDM), among others, fishermen have not benefited since fishing gear is too expensive.
By Pascal Onega
Buliisa: The fishing community around Lake Albert has asked the government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries, to look into the challenges affecting the fishing sector by providing a special fund for fishermen.
The request was made recently during the commemoration of the belated World Fisheries Day held at Ndandamire Primary School Playground in Buliisa district.
While presenting the challenges affecting fishermen around the shores of Lake Albert, Mr. Stivin Mbidi, a prominent fisherman from Magali Cell Butiaba town council, appealed to the government to provide affirmative solutions by providing special credit facilities for fishermen.
Mbidi noted that even though the government has put in place several projects, like Emyooga and the Parish Development Model (PDM), among others, fishermen have not benefited since fishing gear is too expensive.
‘’We have not benefited from the above programs; they are benefiting those who buy from us because the money is too meager to benefit us since the fishing gear is expensive. We are therefore asking the government to consider offering us grants,’’ he requested.
Fred Lukumu, the Buliisa district LCV chairperson, asked the fishermen to organize themselves and form groups that would enable them to tap into government programs.
On the same note, he asked the government to put in place a stakeholder body that can guide and link the government with fishermen for preventive measures.
The woman Member of Parliament representing Buliisa district, Norah Bigirwa Nyendwoha, asked the government to give maximum attention to the fishing communities for better living.
‘’The members of parliament representing the fishing communities are appealing to the government to give maximum attention to fishing communities for better living. Our fishermen have a lot of challenges ranging from fishing gear to security that need to be addressed by the government,’’ she added.
In response, the State Minister for Fisheries, Hellen Adoa, acknowledged that the above programs have benefited the fishermen since the fishing gear is expensive compared to the money disbursed to the program’s beneficiaries.
She therefore assured the fishing communities that the government is looking forward to supporting the fishermen.
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