The Special Adviser to the Rivers State Governor, on
agriculture and deep sea fishing, Hon Kurotamunoye Briggs has commended the
crew members of the state-owned fishing trawler boats MV RV on their successful
third voyage and large catch of fish and other sea foods.

Hon Briggs made the commendation while receiving a
delegation from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development led
by a consultant with the ministry, Mrs Olalade Adegoke at the Borikiri Fishing
Terminal recently.

The Special Adviser, who also commended the management of
Petroquip Nigeria Limited, a core-investor at the terminal disclosed that the
state government is in synergy with an
Israeli firm that is  currently
building farms at Buguma, in Asari-Toru Local Government Area, Ubima in Ikwerre
LGA and Andoni in Andoni Local Government Area.

According to him, the project when completed  would create employment, generate revenue and
meet the growing fish demands of the state.

While appreciating the efforts of the crew of the trawler
boat, MV RV2 for the large catch also advised them to be safety conscious by
making use of the safety equipment provided by the state government.

He thanked the state governor for deliberately giving
agriculture, especially Agriculture and Deep Sea Fishing its rightful place in
the scheme of things and also lauded other delegates, which include Mrs Kaine
Ladapo from the Federal Department of fisheries, Mr C.I. Jiloge, the SS Regional
Officer, Mr Tommy Udo-ine, Mr R.A. Dick, Mr Nelson Nwakawas, and Mr Bamagmoye
Ojo, all of the Federal Department of fisheries, Abuja for finding time to
visit the state and see things for themselves.

In her response, the leader of the delegation, Mrs Adegoke
said the agricultural transformation agenda is a policy geared towards creating
employment and income generation, and hailed the management of Petroquip Nig
Ltd and the crew of RV2 for their successful voyage and enjoined them to keep
up the tempo.

In his remarks, captain Eleyi Elias, who spoke on behalf of
Petroquip Nig Ltd thanked all for the opportunity given to Petroquip and
reiterated that they would not rest on their oasis until fish sufficiency at an
affordable rate is achieved in the state.

The special Adviser and the delegates were later conducted
round the cool rooms of the trawler that brought nine tones 460 bags of fish,
and nine baskets of tiger prawns with a market value of N3 million.

Collins Barasimeye