Nigeria yearly imports roughly 2.4 million metric tonnes of frozen fish.Which is putting a strain on its foreign exchange reserves.
Nigeria’s annual fish demand was 3.6 million metric tonnes, but only 1.2MMT was domestic. Ime Umoh said, “The deficit is being supplemented by frozen fish importation, which is being used to bridge the gap.
However, CBN governor issues Form-M to anyone wishing to import frozen fish. Therefore, the CBN is to pay the financial toll in terms of foreign exchange utilized to import frozen fish.
On whether it was healthy to consume these frozen fish, the minister responded in the affirmative. “We where it is from, what is the health status.
Mahmood added, “We inspect the cold rooms and we have inspectors in Lagos, Abuja and in other locations. They inspect the fish to ensure that it is in very good condition.”
He further stated that the Federal Government was supporting the local production of fish in various ways. In terms of aquaculture, we establish fish farm estates for youths and women. We also provide them with feeds.
