400 Yamaha outboard motors to artisanal fishermen as Liberia and Japan relationship deepens
The Japanese government has signed a fisheries grant for the supply of 400 Yamaha outboard motors to the Government of Liberia, as both countries declared readiness to work with each other.
The signing came after President George M. Weah recent visit to the Tokyo International Conference of African Development, said Japanese Ambassador accredited to Liberia, Tsutomu Himeno. “The visit by his Excellency [George M. Weah] was not only to contribute to the conference but also to have a bilateral visit to Japan, [This] mark a very important step to bring relationship forward at the higher level and this signing is one example of follow up,” he said.
The Foreign Minister of Liberia, Gbezongar Finely signed on behalf of the Liberian government. Finely said the agreement is a significant step to the fight against food insecurity. “ Today is significant because what is about to unfold is going to affect the lives of [fishmongers] who are the most marginalized for many years; not only that, but it will go a long way in our nutritional chain,” he said.
Also, Emma Glassco, the Director-General of National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authorities (NaFAA) provided a technical execution plan regarding the distribution of the outboard motors.
“There will be a minimum criterion set for the fishermen that will be suitable for application of the outboard motors that include members of the CMA or local fishermen cooperatives that have a registered license canoe for at least five years, the cooperative must take the initiative to get insurance certificate from an insurance company and fish must be sold to fishmongers only and robust beach inspection program to ensure that all policies are implemented,” she said.
She added that NaFAA will establish a monitoring and evaluation team to ensure accountability and transparency. “There will be a certain indicator to ascertain the level of progress; fish production, value for money, supply on the local markets,” she said.
