Govt. calls for Fish restocking in Luapula province

Govt. calls for Fish restocking in Luapula province

Mansa, Thursday, 11 July 2013 – ZANIS – Government  has called for drastic measures to restock fish in Luapula Province .

Agriculture Deputy Minister Rodgers Mwewa this was because  fish was a  gold mine for people  in the  province  for time immemorial.

ZANIS reports that  Mr. Mwewa said this  during the second quarter of the Provincial Development Coordinating Committee  ( LPDCC ) meeting held at Henry Courtyard in Mansa, yesterday.

He said  it was saddening  to note that there was no more fish in the province to talk about.

He said there was  need to make corrective measures to restore the former fish abundance glory that the province was known for.

And Luapula Province Minister Brigadier General Benson Kapaya  said  he shared Mr. Mwewa’s  concern  on the  fish status in the province.

He directed the Deputy Permanent Secretary Joyce Bwacha  – Nsamba and members of the Permanent Joint Operation Committee (PJOC) to arrange a meeting with Chief Kambwali of the Lunda people to agree on the way forward.

The directive  followed  Provincial Fisheries Officer Evans Mutanuka ‘s revelation during the meeting that there were five settlements in the fish breeding areas which had the blessing of Chief Kambwali.

Mr. Mutanuka said that his office had the challenge of evacuating the fishmongers from the area .

“  The Chief had even appointed a village headwoman and issued her with a letter to establish herself fully in the breeding area settlement  because the area was part of his chiefdom, “  Mr.  Mutanuka said.

He admitted that the fisheries department had no capacity to handle the situation because of lack of adequate staff and equipment required to address the situation.

But the Provincial Minister said the situation must be addressed with the seriousness it deserved.

He said government will use everything within its diplomatic means to ensure that even the Chief should see and appreciate the benefit of moving all his subjects from the five breeding areas.

Mwense Central member of parliament David Mabumba, Chifunabuli member of parliament Mutaba Mwali and  Kawambwa Central member of parliament Nixon Chilangwa attended the meeting.

Others included  Mambilima member of parliament Mighty Mumba, Nchelenge Central member of parliament Raymond Mpundu, Bangweulu member of parliament Chifita Matafwali, and MMD Chembe member of parliament Aaron Mwansa Mbulakulima.