WALVIS BAY- Namibia’s Fishing industry has reached another milestone when a second state-of-the-art horse mackerel processing factory opened at Walvis Bay on Thursday last week.
The processing plant is owned by Gendev Group Namibia shareholders, who include Camoposatu Investment and Vernier Investment.
A total of N$160 million was injected to construct the modern and flexible processing plant that is said to have a blast freezing capacity of 300 tonnes per 24 hours.
The opening of the factory indicates that the fishing industry is clearly moving in the right direction and responds to governments call for industrialisation and value addition of the country’s resources.
In addition the facility saw the creation of at least 700 jobs for Namibians as the land base factory will allow fish to be processed onshore instead of the usual offshore processing.
Speaking at the official opening of the factory, the Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Bernard Esau said the opening of the factory is yet another success story within the horse mackerel industry, however, he wants to see at least 30 000 jobs created by the horse mackerel industry.
“We want to see more value addition and job creations in the fishing industry. Horse mackerel is allocated the largest quota, yet the hake industry employs more people. We must maximise our resources and create 30 000 extra jobs, as the horse mackerel fishery has the capacity to do so,” Esau explained.
He then applauded the company for establishing the facility and for their product decision to establish a land base processing plant.
“When products are processed on land, more labour is needed, leading to job creation as compared to processing abroad or at sea whereby only a few people are required. That is why we are strongly urging the fishing industry to venture into land based processing, as it not only creates jobs, but adds value to Namibia’s resources, Esau said.
Esau then said the fishing industry continues to play an important role in terms of export earnings of foreign currency.
“This industry also plays a major role in contributing to national development, food security, sustainability development and the improvement of livelihoods, while it remains an important contributor toward the realisation of vision 2030. I am urging all fishing companies take Gendev as an example as they have proved that value addition to Namibian products, especially fish, can be achieved, “Esau said.
The minister then pointed out that adding value to the country’s raw material can best be achieved through monetary and human resources development.
“Let us get our people off the streets and into the employment sector. We cannot just be stuck in the primary phase where all our products are processed abroad,” he urged.
“Remember that if one person in the family is employed, it positively benefits the whole family and ensures a roof over their heads, full stomachs and the possibility for our young generation to receive a decent education,” Esau said.