A total of 3.1 million cans of Horse Mackerel valued at N$21
million were donated by the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources for
drought relief and poverty stricken Namibians.
In line with the commitments of the Government’s Harambee
Prosperity Plan, the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources had allocated two
horse mackerel fishing quotas earlier this year to the National Fishing Corporation
of Namibia (FISHCOR); 10,500 metric tonnes to the Office of the Prime Minister
(Disaster Risk Management) and a further 2,000 metric tonnes to the Ministry of
Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare.
“The allocations for these quotas demonstrates that the
Government indeed cares for its citizens who are needy, and is prepared to
directly intervene in providing food to them, in addition to appealing for
donations from our private sector,” the Minister said.
The two quotas were specifically allocated for canning by
Etosha Fishing Corporation and United Fishing Enterprises (UFE) with a view to
sustaining processing jobs at these canneries. At a function held on 21 July,
the 44 truckloads of canned Horse Mackerel were officially handed over to the
Government by Etosha Fishing and UFE.
“The importance of the tri-partite relationship between
Government, private sector and civil society is celebrated here today in the
coming together of Fishcor, Etosha Fishing, United Fishing Enterprises and
Government. Through the purchase of the product that we will be handing over
today – a transaction facilitated by FISHCOR – Government is not only providing
food to the needy, but also extending a helping hand to the fishing industry,”
Etosha Fishing MD Pietter Greeff said at the handover ceremony.
The Office of the Prime Minister will receive 2.1 million
cans (175,082 trays) for drought relief and the Ministry of Poverty Eradication
and Social Welfare will receive 973,333 cans (81,111 trays).
The Minister urged the government officials in the
institutions receiving these donations to put in place mechanisms to ensure
that the fish is distributed in such a way that it only benefits Namibian
citizens who are truly in need of food and cannot afford it. To this FISHCOR
Acting CEO Mike Nghipunya remarked that special labels clearly indicating that
the product is not for sale will be implemented in future to avoid product
being sold illegally.
Feature photo caption:
Etosha Fishing MD Pieter Greeff addresses the audience at the handover ceremony.
Photo caption:
(From left to right) Petrus Shitatu (UFE), Pieter Greeff (Etosha Fishing MD),
Richard Ahrens (UFE GM), Deputy Minister of Poverty Eradication and Social
Welfare Rev. Aino Kapewangolo, Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Hon
Bernard Esau and Mike Nghipunya (Acting CEO FISHCOR).
