The House of Representatives has resolved to set up an ad hoc committee to probe all licences granted for fish importation within the last one year in the country.
This followed a motion moved by Mr. Jonathan Gaza of Nasarawa state, who called for an investigation into the recent issuance of licences for fish importation in Nigeria.
Mr. Gaza, while moving the motion, explained that in the last few years, Nigeria had gone through recession and had recovered largely due to diversification of the nation’s economy, especially by promoting agriculture.
He said that fishery is an important sub sector of Nigeria’s agriculture with the abundant rivers and lakes like Kainji and other dams and ponds.
According to the lawmaker, fishery has also attracted an increased number of fish farmers using latest technology which has led to an increase in fish production and employment.
He expressed worry that even with pronouncements by the Federal Government to ban fish importation to encourage local farmers to support Federal Government’s diversification policy, licenses were still given to importers.
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