The Women International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) Nigeria has distributed boats in coastal communities in Lagos to enhance fisheries and unlock the full potential of the sector to contribute to economic growth.
The group donated fishing boats to women in the coastal communities, including Osoroko and Sagbokoji which comprises nine communities from Itsekiri, Warri, Cotonou, Ondo and other parts of the country that are known for producing crayfish and other fisheries.
The President of WISTA-Nig, Eunice Ezeoke, said the association is passionate about inclusiveness and economic empowerment of the coastal women in the area of the blue economy as well as harnessing the ocean’s resources for economic growth.
She said the association is also passionate about improving the livelihood of coastal communities while preserving the health of the ocean’s ecosystem.
According to her, the association has been providing fishing boats for women in the coastal communities for many years, who have expressed their readiness to collaborate in finding a market for their seafood as well as their resilience in the operations of their fishery businesses.
She said WISTA-Nig is looking forward to a robust partnership by signing a trade agreement with the community, to assist them in marketing their fisheries beyond Nigeria.
Ezeoko advised the women against marine pollution, adding that they should stop littering refuse in the waters as it endangered their health and the ecosystem.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture, Abisola Olusanya, who was represented by the Deputy Director of Fishery Department, Samuel Oropo, said the state was working towards supporting women to get enough fish for everyone in Lagos.
