The County Directorate of Fisheries in collaboration with Nyamware BMU today convened an assembly meeting at Nyamware Fish Banda.
Nyamware BMU comprises four active and operational groups: Black Arrow group, Crew members group, Osiepe moherore group and Boat owner’s self-help group.
The meeting brought on board the CECM Agriculture DAILF, Chief Officer DAILF, Director state Department of Fisheries, County Director Fisheries, County fisheries Staff,
Sub county Fisheries Lead- Kadibo, Fisheries Officer –Kadibo, Farm Africa, KCB Bank representative, Chair BMU Network Kisumu County, Nyamware BMU Assembly Members, BMU Executive Committee representatives, Subcommittee representatives, Boat Owners, Crews members. Black Arrow group representative, Osiepe Moherore group representatives.
The meeting was scheduled for the BMU assembly to highlight their achievements and challenges to help chart the way forward regarding their operations.
The BMU Chairperson highlighted the following achievements and challenges respectively.
Achievements: fencing and surveying the BMU land parcel, construction of metal rental units for as new revenue stream, construction of Bio toilets in collaboration with LVEMPII, renovation of fish banda, purchase of 100 plastic chairs for hire, sinking of 2 boreholes in collaboration with STADA, enrolled members to join UVUVI Sacco, formed active BMU welfare with 100 seater tent and 100 plastic chairs. construction of gabion along the beach to improve landing site, formed and registered development groups making it easy to get financial support from banking institutions- Equity Bank
Some of the challenges included: constant floods and lake back flows, poor landing site and road network, blockage of water canal by the water hyacinth, reduced fish catch due to overfishing and illegalities.
The CECM Agriculture Hon. Kenneth Onyango commended Nyamware BMU for being organized. He then urged them to form Cooperatives for purposes of boosting their savings, reiterating that such solid financial base can attract banks for lending.
He further advised Nyamware BMU Assembly always to consult with the County Government whenever they want to construct gabions, clearing of canals, making beach access roads for assistance
Hon. Onyango also challenged the chairperson of the BMU to develop a strategic plan and embrace the NAVCDP project.
He cautioned them against illegal practices, tasking the chairperson to be firm in eradicating illegal nets.
On his part, the Chief Officer, Eng Daniel Okia commended the BMU assembly for the group being organized and well distributed in terms of age to ease succession.
He encouraged members to save money in the Sacco and to reduce Illegalities by embracing sustainable fisheries management. Further, he said the fish landing data be recorded in weight and values to aid development and improvement of road networks.
