Modern Fish Processing and Freezing Facility almost complete in Itezhitezhi

The construction of the Fish processing facility in Itezhi Tezhi district in central province is nearing completion.

Itezhi Tezhi District Commissioner Hendrix Kaimana disclosed this when Central Province Minister Sydney Mushanga paid a courtesy call on his office in Itezhi Tezhi district.

Mr. Kaimana said that the fish processing and freezing facility has been completed and the freezing equipment procured.

“The only works remaining are the installation of electricity, water, and plumbing construction of VIP toilets, Drainage and installation of standby Genset for it to be operational, “ said Mr. Kaimana.

And Central province minister Sydney Mushanga said the facility will provide employment to the people of Itezhi Tezhi district.

“Apart from providing employment, the facility will offer a modern fish market where traders can do their business under a clean environment.

“This is an important government project meant to process and store fish to prevent spoilages which cause huge costs” Mr. Mushanga said after touring the project site.

He pointed out that the facility will help local authority to collect revenue through fish levies easily.

The project will expectedly reduce losses due to spoilage incurred by fish men due to lack of freezing facilities.

And Fisheries Research officer Steinslaus Nyirenda said that the project started in 2014 with funding from government.

And a Roman Catholic Priest in Itezhi Tezhi district has sought the immediate intervention of the government in reducing the what he called exorbitant fees for fishing licenses introduced this year.

Father Rodgers Nyanga said that as a church in Itezhi Tezhi they have received numerous complaints from their congregants and common district residents that the fees for fishing licenses were an attainable.

Fish mongers in the area are now required to pay about a K1, 000 for them to be licensed to fish in Lake Itezhi Tezhi.

But Itezhi Tezhi Fisheries Research Officer Steinslaus Nyirenda explained that the Department of fisheries has not revised the fishing licenses saying they are still charging at K200.

He further explained that it is only The Department of National Parks and Wildlife that have revised their permits to fish in the area.

Early this year scores of fishermen stormed the District Commissioner’s office protesting the revised fees which they said where exorbitant and that it would lead an increase in the illegal fishing.