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NaFAA, EU Distribute COVID-19 Hygiene Materials To Fishing Communities

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PHOTO: NaFAA DDGA Manoballah Presenting Covid-19 Materials To Fishing Chief In West Point

As part of efforts to help contain the spread of the Coronavirus, the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) with support from the European Union has begun the first of several distributions of assorted hygiene materials to fishing communities.

A NaFAA press release said it started in the densely populated district of West Point  in central Monrovia- one of the many coastal communities in Montserrado County.

The NaFAA and EU COVID-19 materials will be distributed in fishing communities situated in Montserrado, Grand Bassa, Grand Cape Mount and Margibi Counties.

NaFAA/EU COVID-19 Materials for W/Point Fishing Communities

The cost of the items is put at USD 49,000. The materials include NaFAA/EU customized large drums with foot-stand faucets, small rubber buckets with faucets, nose masks, cholera, powder soap, and sanitizers.

NaFAA is also distributing flyers as part of efforts to sensitize coastal residents about the danger of the Coronavirus disease in the country.

The NaFAA/EU COVID-19 initiative  is supported by the European Union Sectorial Support funding to Liberia.

Speaking during the official launch of the exercise in West Point Tuesday, NaFAA’s Deputy Director-General for Administration, Augustine Monoballah urged fishermen and fish mongers in the country to remain more resilient in the fight against COVID-19.

Even though government has taken concrete steps in containing the pandemic, evident by the recoveries of people affected by the virus, he said recent statistics by the National Public Health Institute of Liberia, shows COVID-19 is still in the country.

Monoballah recalled the support of the European Union to the fisheries sector, describing the EU  as a major partner to Liberia’s development programs at several fronts.

The occasion was graced by local government officials, fishermen, fishmongers and residents.

Speaking earlier, the commissioner of the township of West Point, William Wea, lauded the NaFAA for the initiative, describing the intervention as timely.

Also speaking at the ceremony was Nyantee Sleh, President of the Core Management Association (liaison between NaFAA and the fishing community). Mr. Sleh admonished residents to take ownership of the items given them.

Cross section of West Point fish Mongers in attendance

In May 2017, during the last year of former President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, the European Union (EU) issued Liberia a yellow card, identifying it as not being cooperative in the fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing.

In recent years, the Government of Liberia and the EU have been working to remove the yellow card.

EU and Liberia have a Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement (SFPA). That agreement sets the principles, rules and procedures governing conditions under which Union vessels may engage in fishing activities in the Liberian fishing zone, economic, financial, technical and scientific cooperation in the fisheries sector with a view to promoting sustainable fishing in the Liberian fishing zone and the development of the Liberian fisheries sector.

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