House of Reps seeks ban on fish importation

The House of Representatives is seeking a ban on importation of fish into the country, after condemning the indiscriminate manner with which frozen fish of questionable quality were brought into this in country.

The decision was taken on Wednesday following an adoption of a motion sponsored by Hon. Tasir Olawale Raji.

The House had mandated its committees on Agricultural Production and Services and Water Resources to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Agricultural, the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Customs and other stakeholders to develop a policy framework for the implementation of a phased ban on importation of fish and fish products.

According to the lawmakers, the ban would create an enabling environment for increased private sector investments in the fisheries sub-sector such that Nigeria can become self-sufficient in fish production within a period of four years.