Japan GVT grants 320m/- for Chato fish market

 
JAPAN has granted $151,399 (about 320m/-) for the expansion of Kasenda Fish Market in Chato District, Geita Region, a move aimed at boosting the fishing industry along Lake Victoria and neighbouring countries.

Japanese Ambassador to Tanzania, Mr Masaharu Yoshida and Chato District Executive Director, Mr Joel Hari, signed the agreement for the grant in Dar es Salaam yesterday. 

 

Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Dr Charles Tizeba and Deputy Minister for Energy and Minerals, Dr Medard Kalemani, who doubles as the Member of Parliament (MP) of Chato, witnessed the signing ceremony at the Japanese Embassy.

Amb. Yoshida said the Kasenda Fish Market was significant because it was providing employment for people and revenue to the district, but was struggling with a small space for storing and sorting fish.

Lack of enough space for storing fish from Lake Victoria at the Kasenda Fish Market is annually causing wastage of 210 metric tons of fishes every year. Mr Yoshida explained that the funds would be used to build a storage facility and rehabilitate the existing retail market for the fish and vegetables at the Kasenda Fish Market.

“This will significantly improve the quality and quantity of fish which are traded at the market and also increase the income of people working there,” he said.

Dr Kalemani noted that the process to expand the market was initiated by the then Chato legislator, President John Magufuli. He further said that the expansion of the market would facilitate the fish trade along the Lake Victoria and export to neighbouring countries.

Dr Tizeba, apart from thanking Japan for the assistance to the Chato District, also noted that the two governments have agreed to partner on combatting illegal fishing by foreign vessels in Tanzanian waters. “Illegal fishing is still a big challenge.

Foreign ships come and fish in our waters without following proper procedures and this is because we lack enough capacity to monitor and guard our waters,” he said.

Marine experts from the two countries are expected to meet and discuss on the kind of support that Japan could give to contain illegal fishing