BRACED Commisison tasked to develop aquatic life

Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibo State has tasked the BRACED Commission made up of Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo and Delta States to focus more on the development of the abundant aquatic lives of the South South to create employment opportunities for the teeming youths of the country.
Akpabio, who made the call Monday when the Director-General of BRACED Commission, Ambassador Joe Keshi, and Commissioners of Agriculture of the BRACED states paid him a courtesy visit at the Governor’s Office, Uyo, lamented that Akwa Ibom State has not really taken advantage on the development of aquatic lives.
The governor remarked: “The South South has some challenges such as poverty and insecurity.
“So, this is time for us to take our destinies in our hands for peace and development in the region.
“So, therefore, the BRACED Commission must focus and discuss more in their next summit meeting on the aquatic wealth of the nation for the employment of our people.
”Already, the South South has a lot of shrimps, which could be transported by boats for sale and for export.
“That could in turn generate revenue for the people.
“We must discuss how to provide the boats and finances for the processing of our marine wealth.”
According to Akpabio, Ghanaians and other nationals have been engaging in fishing business in the country’s territorial waters, urging the BRACED Commission to take advantage of the availability of aquatic lives in the region by exploiting such to create jobs for people.
He expressed happiness with the commission for its interest in agriculture, acknowledging that the Akwa Ibom State Government is committed to agriculture, particularly rice production, through Integrated Farmers Scheme and has initiated the Women in Agricultural Development Project, which has so far given N250,000 each to 4,500 women.
He further charged the commission, in liaison with some private investors, to venture into the manufacturing sector by producing goods with the tag of BRACED, adding: “Also, we would want a manufacturing company from BRACED Commission where food products would be packaged and stamped and before you notice it, people would rush for it.
“So to this, let us have a technical committee to practicalise and ginger the manufacturing sector on what we would be discussing.”
The governor, who congratulated the Director-General of the BRACED Commission on his appointment, described it as merited.
He said he served this country as an ambassador creditably.
Akpabio hoped that Keshi would bring his skill and wealth of experience to bear on the economic integration of the South South and development of the country, assuring the commission of his cooperation to ensure its success.
Ambassador Keshi had said they were in the state to show support to the state government in the area of agriculture.
Keshi urged the region not to neglect agriculture, which could guarantee peace and security not only in the region but also in the entire country.
He appealed to the state government for support, especially funding, to enable the region to achieve more in the area of oil palm production.