Date: 2010-10-25

In furtherance of the success story of Shonga Farms, Kwara State Government in collaboration with the Federal Government of Nigeria is to establish fish production factory in the State.

The Multi-million Naira model fish factory being proposed in the state was designed to boost fish production in the country.

The project which would be jointly funded by the Federal Government and the Kwara State Government would harness local production of fish as being done in Dairy and Poultry sectors at the Shonga farms holdings.

The factory when completed would complement the state government’s efforts towards job creation and poverty alleviation programme.

Chairman of the Kwara State Association of Fish Farmers and Aquaculturalist of Nigeria, Alhaji Nurudeen AbdulAzeez disclosed this in Ilorin while participating on a Radio Kwara personality interview programme, "Playing Host".

He said the State Government had already paid its counterpart fund to show its commitment to the project, adding that the first market being built in Ilorin by his association was 80% completed.

Alhaji AbdulAzeez also hinted that arrangement was in top gear by the association to partner US and other European countries to source ready market for the exportation and sales of smoke and dry fish from the State.

He disclosed further that a group of entourage from United Kingdom had already visited the association in Ilorin to commence talk on how to get smoke fish in large quantities.

AbdulAzeez however praised the State government for encouraging fish farming in the State and noted with satisfaction that membership of the association had risen to over 300 practicing fish farmers cutting across the 16 Local Government Councils of the State.

Mas’ud Adebimpe
Chief Press Secretary to the Kwara State Governor
25/10/2010