Bayelsa Hands Over 127-Hectare Aquaculture Village to Private Investors

A group of private investors has officially taken over the management of the Bayelsa-owned multi-million Aquaculture Village, located in Yenegue, Yenagoa Local Government Area.

The concession of the village located on a 127-hectare land with over 500 fish ponds, it was learnt, was a collaboration between Aquaseas, Unity Bank and the state’s Ministry of Agriculture.

Commissioner for Agriculture in the state, Mr. Doodei Week, described the handover as another remarkable achievement, noting that the three thematic pillars of capacity building, establishment of critical agricultural infrastructure and creating linkages with partners had been actualised.

According to him, the government was poised to replicate such agricultural facilities in other local government areas of the state, noting that some councils would have two aquaculture villages.

“It is not just the aquaculture village in Yenegue but aquaculture villages in every local government areas. Some local governments will have two because already we are doubling the investment in some local governments.

“The state responsibility in this regard is to build the farms, create the infrastructure and allow the private sector to drive them. We thank the governor, whose dreams, guidance systems and specific objectives that we are fulfilling,” he said.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Aquaseas, Mr. Steve Okeleji, said following further investments by the state government, the aquaculture villages would generate 16,000 direct jobs and countless other indirect jobs.

“I want to applaud the audacity of the governor. What makes one a consummate leader is the ability to see opportunities, challenges and proffer solution. I am aware that the aquaculture village will be replicated in other local government areas with capacity of 500 ponds.

“It is massive and that means we will be having a minimum of about 16000 direct jobs. It will also create indirect jobs. Our role is to manage the farms and sales and we are going to do that by engaging the youths of Bayelsa in all the entire value chain of aquaculture.

“We will also create independent aquapreneurs, young, independent entrepreneurs in aquaculture. Bayelsa will soon become the hub of aquaculture in Africa. Other states should come around and borrow a leaf from the vision of this government.”