FISHERY: Construction of Brikama fish market

Monday, January 19, 2009
In The Gambia, the unavailability of fish storage facilities in some areas is a major obstacle in fish marketing. This has normally led to serious encounters of post-harvest loses.

In November last year, the Department of State for Fisheries, Water Resources and National Assembly Matters on behalf of the government of The Gambia signed a contract with Iwata ChizakiInc. of Japan for the construction of a fish market in Brikama. The signing of this document was done at the Ginza Nikko Hotel in Tokyo, Japan.

The construction of a fish market is meant to ensure easy access to fish and to make it affordable to the average Gambian whose main supply of food and protein is primarily from fish. Apart from employment creation, the fish market will also aid in the reduction of post-harvest losses, with the provision of ice and chilled rooms for storage. This will make it possible for Gambians to sell fresh and good-quality fish in a hygienic environment, thereby ensuring stable supplies and reduction in inflation ofprices of fish and fishery products.

In addition, the market, according to Fisheries Department officials, will have the potential of reducing family expenditures on health, by reducing the incidences of food poisoning.

The construction of the fish market is expected to commence by January 2009 to be completed by December of the same year.

The direct beneficiaries of this project will be the fresh fish retailers who are operating at different locations in the Brikama market. The project will provide 140 stalls with sinks for washing, gutting and sale offish.

The contract was signed by Lamin Nyabally, permanent secretary, Department of State for Fisheries, Water Resources and National Assembly Matters on behalf of The Gambia government while Tooru Fukusaku, senior vice president of Iwata Chizaki Inc, Japan signed on behalf of the contractors.

The permanent secretary was accompanied at the signing ceremony by Ousman Mass Jobe, senior fisheries officer, and the extension and project coordinator, Brikama Fish Market.

Author: by Amadou Jallow