Wike Counsels Federal Agencies On Harmful Chemicals On Seafoods
Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike of Rivers State has called on relevant Federal Agencies to effectively monitor and ensure that harmful preservative chemicals are not allowed on seafoods in the country.
The governor made the call while speaking at a two-day seminar organised by the Norwegian Sea Food Council in Lagos, on Wednesday.
Governor Wike, represented by his deputy, Dr. (Mrs.) Ipalibo Harry Banigo, stressed that it was necessary for stakeholders to fashion out workable policies that would guarantee healthy and safe protocols for all consumables imported into Nigeria.
The governor, in a release by the Head of Press, Office of Rivers State Deputy Governor, Owupele Benebo, said Rivers State is strategic to sea food economic activities, adding that it was a coastal state with viable seaports.
Wike enjoined the Norwegian Authorities to take advantage of the most favourable business climate in the country, by investing in Rivers State, which, according to him is “Nigeria’s Investment hub”.
Wike, who commended the initiative of the Norwegian Sea Food Council for organising the seminar, said: “There is a huge bilateral trade relationship between Nigeria and Norway in stockfish.”
Participants at the seminar were drawn from the Federal Ministries of Agriculture, Trade, Finance, Budget and Economic Planning as well as NAFDAC, CBN, Nigerian Custom, Association of Stock Fish Dealers and the Lagos State Government.
According to a report, Nigeria provides the largest market for imported stockfish from Norway with a total of 8,900 tons of stock fish valued at over $38 million US Dollars as at the year, 2020.
