Douala based NGO, Youth Empowerment Promotion, YEP in collaboration with the Sub Divisional Delegation of Fisheries and Animal Industries, MINEPIA, Bangem, has trained the population of Bangem Sub Division on sustainable fishing.
The training which took place on the 13th of December 2023, is part of the project to stock Seme River with fish for the benefit of the inhabitants of Bangem Sub Division. The participating villages include; Eyandong, Elah, Ndibse, Muaku,, Njom and Bangem.
Addressing participants at the workshop, YEP’s Project Manager, Ngide Samuel Metuge said the Seme Fish Project was initiated in 2020 in River Seme flowing from Muaku village down to Njom and other villages downstream where the river crosses.
He said with the absence of fishes in Bangem and considering the high cost of meat which the population could barely afford, he was motivated to start the project.
Ngide revealed that the fish project for the main time concerns the aforementioned villages but with time will expand beyond Bangem Sub Division to cover close to 20.000 inhabitants of Bangem area to the Muanenguba Twin Lakes.
According to the Project Manager, this project will creat jobs to the youths and also enable people to have food, improve on their nutrition and also generate income for families.
Ngide revealed that Bangem being a peasant area where farmers produces coffee, plantains and maize, it will be nice to go beyond for inhabitants to have animal protein.
In order encourage fishing activities, Ngide promised to introduce fishing gear that will be provided to farmers free of charge for a start.
He cautioned farmers to shun the use of baskets for fishing so that young fishes can be allowed to grow to maturity. “You must use only hooks and rods for fishing. Don’t use spraying cans around water bodies to avoid fish poisoning.” Ngide warned.
The Sub Divisional Delegate of MINEPIA Bangem Sub Division, Nganje Albert in the course of the training, differentiated between fishing and fish farming.
Other modules handled in the training session include; fishing types, fishing in the sea/ocean, lake, river, fishing gear, by various experts. Questions and answers ensued.
At the end of the training, one of the participants, HRH Nnane Nnoko Emmanuel, Paramount Ruler of Bangem, thanked the Project Manager of YEP for bringing such a lucrative project to the Bangem community.
He warned farmers in the sub division against the misuse of water bodies along farming areas.
Chief Nnane urged other chiefs to be cautious and vigilant with thieves. “Disciplinary measures shall be meted on those exploiting our waters without authorization and also on those littering poisonous objects in water.” The Chief warned.
In their words of appreciation, Edie Thomas of Eyandong, Elume Alexis, Regent Chief of Njom, Ndene Cadine of Ndibse 2 and Etape Cecilia of Bangem, on behalf of participants lauded the Project Manager for the training and promised to fish sustainably in their various villages.
The Seme River Fish Project is sponsored by the United States Embassy in Cameroon.
By Ekwelle Franklin
