By Mariama B. Bah
09 February, 2021 (SALONE TIMES)
FREETOWN – Minister of Fisheries Hon. Emma Kowa- Jalloh has boosted Funkia Resident with massive development which includes water tanks, construction of taps and toilet among others.
Funkia Community is one of the oldest and most populated slum communities that is known for Fishing.
One of the stakeholders of the community, showcased the great works of the Minister of Fisheries to different media institution.
Minister of Fisheries Emma Kowa- Jalloh said that the reason behind the ongoing project is because they want to improve their products in the country, improve hygienic condition and the products they are consuming within Sierra Leone and in the sub Region.
She explained that they want to go further into other markets like the European and Asian markets, noting that, even for their own consumption, there must be quality, clean and safe environment for the fish production.
She maintained that the platforms that the people saw in the landing sites are for the fishermen to bring their fish so that the women would buy the fish.
She explained that the landing sites is established because they don’t want fisherman and women to land the fish on the sand in order to avoid contamination.
She said that before now when they visited the beaches they saw human excretion in every corner which is purely unhygienic and at the same time contaminates the products but that they have now built toilets
She mentioned that there would be water facility which is the wash program in order to be able to wash the fish and there would be these platforms to be able to put it to the landing sites for them to clean the fish properly for market or processing of onward transmission to exporting areas.
She continued that she is not only raising funds from the fishing sector but the government is giving back to the sector by bringing development to the community so that the local people will know that their resources are not just for exporting but also to bring much needed revenue and development into their coastal areas, improve their product, improve their earning power and improve their community as whole.
One of the stakeholders Rabiatu Jalloh from Sherbro Town said they are very happy about the great initiative of the minister and the government, noting that, before now, the people of Funkia community lack basic amenities like water, toilet facility among others.
Mamud Kamara, one of the fishermen expressed thanks and appreciation to the minister for such great improvements in the Funkia community, adding that they are happy about the standard structures that are being put up by the government.
Madam Aminata Kamara who happens to be one of land owner said that when the minister was struggling for a place to put up the toilet structure, she came to the aid of the Minister by giving out her land for free so that Funkia community will be transformed.
