FG Orders Navy to Investigate Influx of Foreign Trawlers into Niger Delta Waters

The federal government has ordered the Nigerian Navy to investigate and stop the increasing influx of foreign trawlers into the nation’s territorial waters for indiscriminate fishing.

The Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, disclosed this while addressing some issues raised during the interactive session held with farmers in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.

Lokpobiri said the influx of foreign trawlers into Nigerian territorial waters through the coast to fish without the permission of the federal government would no longer be tolerated.
He said the presidency had directed the Chief of Naval Staff to look into the matter with immediate effect.

Lokpobiri also enjoined the indigenes of Bayelsa and other states of the region to embrace peace while the federal government would continue to provide ways of boosting the economy.
He expressed concern about pipeline vandalism by youths in the region, urging them to go into agriculture.

Lokpobiri also advised the people of the Niger Delta region to invest in farming as loans would be provided for them by Bank of Industry and Agricultural Development Bank in the state.
Commenting on the interactive session, the President of the Ijaw Youth Council, Mr. Udeng Eradiri, said the Niger Delta region and youths had to key into agriculture to create wealth.