Mrs. Funmilayo Ojikutu, the Market Leader, Epe Fish Market, on Monday urged the Lagos State Government to give incentives to youths in Epe to encourage them venture into the fish farming business.
Ojikutu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Epe on Monday that the appeal became necessary to encourage more youth participation in fishing farming.
“Although some youths are into the fish farming business but the number is not enough.
“We need more of them in order to enhance food security in the community.”
Ojikutu said that the incentives could be small-scale funding or buying of fish farming equipment for the youths.
“The youth that are presently into farming are children of farmers, and that is because they learnt the job from their parents.
“They need to be encouraged for them to still remain in the occupation.
“The government can also give the children of farmers scholarship to go to school.
“This will make them have a sense of belonging, and the education will advance their farming techniques,” she said.
The market leader said that the rainy season was favourable for their business, adding that fish farmers harvested more during the rainy season.
She urged the local and state governments to improve the facilities at the market.
“The buildings in the Epe Fish Market are dilapidated; the floors and roads within the market need to be upgraded.
“Also, there are insufficient facilities to accommodate more innovation in the market premises.
“We need the government to come and upgrade the market structure to a modern standard,” Ojikutu said.
The market leader urged all the occupants of shops in the market to pay their taxes and government levies, so that the government would be able to meet their needs.