This was revealed by the Minister of State for Agriculture, Senator Heineken
Lokpobiri while speaking at the Abuja headquarters of the Federal Ministry
of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD).
According to him, the harmful frozen fish
include tilapia, river bream, sardine, croaker etc.
“It has become necessary for the Federal Government through the FMARD to
address the Nigerian public on the sale of smuggled unhealthy frozen fish,
especially farmed tilapia, in Nigeria. These smuggled frozen fish are very
harmful to the health of Nigerians” he said.
The Minister therefore warned those involved in the illegal importation to
desist, as anyone caught will be made to face the full wrath of the law adding
that the government had been collaborating with countries in the Gulf of
Guinea, Nigeria Customs Service, maritime police, Nigerian Navy and the
Nigerian Agriculture Quarantine Service.
“The ministry is using this medium to warn all those involved, colluding,
aiding and abetting these nefarious activities to stop or face the full wrath
of the law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Importation of fish without
licence attracts five-year imprisonment or a fine of $250,000, or both, in
addition to forfeiture and destruction of the vessel and its products” he vowed
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