The Federal Government yesterday denied reports that it had banned the importation of frozen fish into the country.
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, said that the government had only imposed stricter controls on fish imports in order to encourage the growth of local fish farming and production.
“The ministry has decided to regulate and monitor the quantity and species that each fish importer will be able to import to ensure that Nigeria is not used as a dumping ground but only imports what she actually needs, to stop the practice of stock piling frozen fish in cold rooms for weeks before selling, thereby making the fish unwholesome.
"Nigerians deserve to eat fresh frozen fish not rotten and rancid fish. The health of Nigerians is of prime importance to the government.”
Adesina declared a 25% annual reduction in fish importation, and all fish importers must also engage in fish farming in order to limit the dependence on imports.
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