By John Kelly Marah<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Members of Parliament have commended the newly approved Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Ahmed Saybom Kanu, while urging him to prioritize the welfare of fishermen and implement reforms aimed at transforming Sierra Leone’s fisheries sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Speaking during the approval proceedings in Parliament, lawmakers expressed confidence in Kanu’s ability to contribute meaningfully to the development of the sector and address the longstanding challenges confronting fishing communities across the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Among those who spoke was Hon. Aaron Aruna Koroma of Tonkolili District, who emphasized the immense potential of the fisheries sector to improve livelihoods and contribute significantly to national development if properly managed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He noted that fishermen in communities such as Tombo, Shenge, Goderich and other coastal settlements continue to face serious difficulties despite the country’s rich marine resources. According to him, the lack of adequate cold storage and fish preservation facilities remains a major challenge, forcing fishermen to sell their catch at low prices shortly after landing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“When fishermen catch fish, they are often compelled to sell within a few hours because they lack proper preservation facilities. Consequently, they have little bargaining power and are forced to accept whatever prices are offered,” Hon. Koroma stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He urged Ahmed Saybom Kanu to leave a lasting legacy by championing policies and programmes that improve the lives of fishermen and strengthen the fisheries sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“We want to remember you not because you occupied the office of Deputy Minister, but because of the positive difference you made in the lives of fishermen and coastal communities across Sierra Leone,” he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Drawing from Kanu’s background as a religious leader, Hon. Koroma encouraged him to demonstrate integrity, compassion, dedication and selfless service in the discharge of his duties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lawmaker also called for decisive action against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, which he described as a major obstacle to the growth and sustainability of the fisheries sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Adding his voice to the debate, Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara (AKK) stressed the need for increased investment in fisheries infrastructure, particularly cold storage facilities and fish processing centres, to reduce post-harvest losses and increase the incomes of local fishermen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He further highlighted the poor state of healthcare and educational facilities in many fishing communities, noting that sustainable development of the fisheries sector must go hand in hand with improvements in social services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hon. Kamara urged government and stakeholders to pay greater attention to the needs of coastal communities, emphasizing that development should reach those who contribute significantly to the country’s economy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Several other Members of Parliament echoed similar sentiments, calling for stronger collaboration between the Ministry of Fisheries and Parliament to enact policies that protect local fishermen, promote sustainable fishing practices and maximize benefits from Sierra Leone’s marine resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lawmakers expressed optimism that Ahmed Saybom Kanu’s appointment would bring renewed energy and commitment to the sector, while encouraging him to work closely with the Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources to address critical challenges facing the industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Parliament subsequently approved Ahmed Saybom Kanu as Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, with Members expressing hope that his tenure would usher in meaningful reforms and tangible improvements for fishermen and fishing communities across Sierra Leone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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By John Kelly Marah Members of Parliament have commended the newly approved Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Ahmed Saybom Kanu, while urging him to prioritize the welfare of fishermen and implement reforms aimed at transforming Sierra Leone’s fisheries sector. Speaking during the approval proceedings in Parliament, lawmakers expressed confidence in Kanu’s ability to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":383,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-380","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"aioseo_notices":[],"yoast_head":"\n