February 22, 2024 (Public Communication and Media Relations)
Deputy Governor of Turkana County Dr. John Erus has urged Stakeholders in the blue economy sector to speed up the process of unlocking the potential of Lake Turkana, the world’s largest desert Lake-so as to uplift the livelihood of fisherfolk communities in the County.
Speaking at a meeting that brought together County Departments of Public Service, Fisheries and Aquaculture and, Agriculture and Land reclamation alongside development partners, DG Erus challenged the stakeholders to actively take up their roles towards building the capacity of the lake as a source of fish and raw products for various value chains.
Speaking at a consultative meeting in which stakeholders deliberated on the “Sustainable Unlocking of the Economic Potential of Lake Turkana” DG Erus described the Lake as a resource whose presence was a blessing to Turkana and the entire region of Eastern Africa.
“Am aware that several studies have been done and published on the potential of Lake Turkana. You can refer to the Wetlands Survey Report of 2004 by Dr. Malala for progressive ideas,” DG Erus said.
The DG noted that the huge population of fisherfolk communities residing along 200kms shorelines of the Lake from Todonyang to Eliye stood to benefit a great deal if the potential of the utility was properly harnessed.
On his part, the Chief Officer for Fisheries and aquaculture, Evans Lomodei, divulged that the proposed project would be implemented over a five years period 2024-2028 aiming to promote the adoption of a comprehensive framework for value addition of fish products in the chain of production.
The Chief also hinted at plans by the Fisheries and Aquaculture department to officially launch the project to guide partners participation, investments and resource mobilization processes.
Chief Officer Evans Lomodei listed World Food Program (WFP), USAID Nawiri, SAPCONE, KMFRI and Loropio as some of the key institutions that the County will be banking on for technical collaborations to make the plan work.
