WALVIS BAY – The Namibia Fish Consumption Promotion Trust (NFCPT) will host its annual fish consumption
day in Opuwo in Kunene in October to encourage more people to eat fish.
The day is one of the key initiatives of the trust aimed at encouraging Namibians to eat more fish, not only due to its health benefits but also grant Namibians access to the country’s natural resources.
Hence, NFCPT choses a different region each year to ensure inclusivity of all Namibians in its campaign to promote fish.
NFCPT was established by government to promote and meet its set target that every Namibian should at least consume 20 kg of fish per year which translates to about 47 00 metric tonnes annually.
Speaking at the breakfast meeting, Suzan Ndjaleka, the NFCPT board chairperson said the trust is not only tasked to promote fish consumption but also to teach Namibians how to prepare it.
She added their efforts and objectives of government would have been futile if NFCPT were not visible in all fourteen regions. NFCPT currently has 16 shops dotted across the country.
The CEO of NFCPT, Victor Pea also underlined the importance of the day saying it plays its part in the elimination of ignorance, hunger, unemployment and poverty.
Minister of Fisheries, Bernhard Esau addressing the event said Namibia still have a long way to go in terms of encouraging Namibians to eat more fish.
“Our consumption rate currently stands at 10 kilogrammes of fish per person. We must encourage Namibians to eat more not only for health reasons but also to share our natural resources with all of them,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Trust also donated 684 chairs and 765 desks to 14 schools in the Kavango West Region, with proceeds generated from last year’s gala dinner that took place in the region.
Ndjaleka said the trust is also keen to assist schools in various regions by identifying and addressing such needs. “Social responsibility is close to NFCPT and we will always assist where we can,” she said.