Rabiu Omaku
Piqued over the rising waves of water pollution in Nasarawa State, The Director of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Judah Attah has called on people of polluting water to turn a new leaf or face the full wrath of the law.
He handed down the warning during a marathon meeting with heads of waters and executives of the State Fisheries Cooperative Federation and Aquaculture held at the Ministry headquarters.
Judah Attah expressed grief over the way and manner illegal fishermen infiltrate fishing activities in the State.
“I want to use this platform to call on recalcitrant to forget their nefarious act or jail awaits anybody caught”.
We have made bumper arrests within the days in the State, especially in Nasarawa South senatorial zone, and I was dismayed with the quantum of arrests so far made within two weeks.
He described the unfolding as quite unfortunate for the fishing sector, recalling the promises made by Governor Abdullahi Sule recently at the first maiden State Fishing Festival held at Tungan Nupawa community of Lafia Local Government.
“The Director blamed the lackadaisical attitude of some heads of waters in the State for lack of trust in the discharge of their duties towards protecting and preserving bodies of water”.
Lighting the breakthrough made in Feferuwa,in Burum-burum in Doma ,Yelwa Bassa in Kokona Local Government, Pankshin, Iggah in Nasarawa Eggon, Kututure which he described as porous rivers for water pollution.
The head of water of Yelwan Bassan, In his contribution, urged the ministry to do the needful by ensuring that the Government applies stiffer penalties for those arrested to serve as a deterrent for others.
“All the time we are been blamed for sins we did not commit, However, the ministry must be bold in dealing with those nabbed by the security and prosecuted accordingly”.
Adding that 99 Percent of fishes and other aquatic animals killed as a result of water pollution are wasted, assuring the heads of water of prosecuting all those caught
Heads of waters at the meeting including those from Yelwan Bassa,Rutu, Burum-burum, and Iggah communities contributed positively towards the lasting solutions that would curtail water pollution in the State.
The State Chairman of Fisheries Cooperative and Aquaculture, Hon.Mohammed Bashir Umar in his submission lauded the immense contribution of the Divisional Police Officer of Doma Local Government towards the successful arrest and safekeeping of the culprits as well motorcycles impounded during one of their operations recently.
He attributed the success to the workaholic DPO of Doma for his cooperation at all times.
“If we have DPOs like the one of Doma, Sky will be our starting point to nip the ugly trend in the bud”.
