Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has distributed 50 fishing boats equipped with 15-horsepower Yamaha outboard engines and fishing nets to fishermen in Warri North, Warri South and Warri South-West Local Government Areas of the state.
The intervention is aimed at boosting fishing activities, improving the income of riverine dwellers and strengthening food security in the affected communities.
The boats and fishing equipment were commissioned and handed over to beneficiaries at Koko, headquarters of Warri North Local Government Area, on Monday.
Represented at the ceremony by the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Dennis Guwor, Governor Oborevwori said the initiative was part of his administration’s commitment to empowering people in riverine communities with productive assets.
He described fishing as central to the economic and social life of riverine communities, noting that many fishermen continued to operate with inadequate equipment despite the difficult conditions under which they carried out their activities.
“For generations, fishing has been an important part of the life and economy of our riverine communities. It is more than a means of livelihood; it is a tradition that has been passed from one generation to another.
“This intervention is therefore about giving you the tools you need to fish more efficiently, increase your income and provide better opportunities for your families,” the governor said.
Oborevwori said the programme was a practical demonstration of his administration’s M.O.R.E Agenda, particularly its commitment to creating opportunities for citizens and ensuring that no community was left behind in the development process.
He disclosed that the distribution represented the first phase of the programme and directed the Ministry of Riverine Infrastructure Development to extend the intervention to other riverine local government areas across the state.
The governor urged beneficiaries to protect and maintain the boats, engines and fishing nets, stressing that the equipment was provided to enhance their livelihoods and improve economic activities in their communities.
He also assured riverine communities of continued government investment in infrastructure, including access roads, landing jetties and facilities aimed at reducing post-harvest losses and facilitating the transportation of fish and other agricultural produce to markets.
“We recognise the important role our fishing communities play in our economy and food security, and we will continue to support them,” he added.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Riverine Infrastructure Development, Chief Ebikeme Clark, described the intervention as the fulfilment of a key commitment of the Oborevwori administration to the riverine people.
Clark said the boats were specially constructed to withstand tidal conditions and designed to support both fishing expeditions and the transportation of agricultural produce from riverine communities.
“Today, we are not just handing over fishing boats; we are handing over tools of livelihood, instruments of peace, and engines of economic growth to the very people of the riverine communities of Warri Federal Constituency whose major means of livelihood is fishing,” he said.
According to the commissioner, the new boats, engines and nets would enable fishermen to travel farther, spend more productive hours on fishing expeditions and increase their catches.
He added that improved transportation would allow fishermen to move their produce to markets faster, reducing spoilage and increasing profitability.
Clark reiterated that the distribution was the first batch of the intervention, assuring that other riverine local government areas would benefit from the programme in due course.
He commended Governor Oborevwori for his commitment to improving the socio-economic wellbeing of riverine communities, while urging beneficiaries and the affected local government councils to ensure that the equipment was properly maintained and used for its intended purpose.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Stanley Agbosa thanked Governor Oborevwori for the gesture and assured the state government that the recipients would put the boats and equipment to judicious use to increase their yields and contribute to food security in the state.
The ceremony was attended by the State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Solomon Arenyeka; lawmakers; members of the Delta State Executive Council; chairmen of Warri North, Warri South and Warri South-West Local Government Councils; traditional rulers; community leaders; and representatives of fishermen and farmers’ associations.
