LIFTING OF FISHING BAN CHEERS TRADERS

THE lifting of the ban on fishing activities by government has cheered Traders and Fishermen in Siavonga.

On Sunday, Minister of Health Dr. Chitalu Chilufya said the ban which had been extended by Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries following the recent cholera outbreak that had hit selected parts of the country had been lifted effective 26, March, 2018.

A check by the Daily Nation at Siavonga main harbour and at Kanchombo found Kapenta fishermen and their crews carrying out minor maintenance works on fishing rigs in readiness for sailing off for their first fishing expedition since the ban on 1st march. The artisanal fishermen were also seen preparing their nets and canoes for their evening work.

At commercial fishing companies found in fishing camps area of Siavonga, the Daily Nation found most workers had already reported for work by 15:00 hrs.

And the fishermen spoken to praised Government for lifting the ban on fishing before the 30

April deadline it had announced late last month. They said Government decision to lift the ban was a sign that it had listened to cries by its citizens in the fishing sector.

The fishermen said life had become unbearable for them as they could not manage to fend for their families during the ban and added that had Government not listened to their concerns most families in the area would have fallen into destitution.

‘’We are happy that Government has lifted the fishing ban and tonight we will be able go out fishing so that our families have something to eat tomorrow. Life hasn’t been easy for us from the time the ministry of fisheries and livestock imposed the ban,’’ said one fisherman found at the fishing camps.

And traders at Siavonga main market have thanked Government for lifting the ban on fishing. The traders said the ban had negatively affected their lives as businesses sales had gone down because money was not in circulation which resulted in some of them to close shop.

Meanwhile, fishermen working for commercial fishing companies have asked Government to compel company owners to pay them their salaries for March which were suspended due to the ban.

They complained that most companies refused to pay their workers because of lack of production.