The Namibia Fish Consumption Promotion Trust (NFCPT) officially opened its multi-million state-of-the-art fish shop at Ondangwa on Monday.
The Ondangwa Fish Shop commenced its operations in 2003, initially functioning from a container to supply fish primarily to the local and surrounding communities in the region. Over time, it underwent an upgrade, transforming into a small structure.
In a speech read on his behalf, Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Derek Klazen, said NFCPT is entrusted with promoting fish consumption throughout Namibia by improving the accessibility and affordability of fish.
According to Klazen, the Ministry allocates fish quotas to the NFCPT annually to enable the trust to carry out its programmes and projects.
‘The trust is deeply committed to imparting knowledge to the public about fish preparation and cooking methods, aimed at maximizing the nutritional advantages that fish products provide,” he said.
He added that the new shop is a cutting-edge facility with state-of-the-art design and functionality, constructed at a total value of nearly N.dollars 10 million, and offers an array of features, including a freezer room with a capacity of 46.2 metric tonnes, a processing area, an expandable retail space, two offices, two storerooms, ablution facilities for both staff and customers, as well as a Solar PV System valued at nearly N.dollars 500 000, complemented by a backup generator.
Speaking at the same occasion, NFCPT board Chairperson, Suzan Ndjaleka, said that for the past years, they have been operating in a sorry state of infrastructure, but the reality has not prevented them from making fish available to the people.
“The new facility is strategically located, and thus easily accessible and being service to their community by availing fish to the inhabitants of Ondangwa and the nearby villages as well as passer-by,” she said.
She added that Ondangwa is also transit to towns such as Eenhana, Oshakati, Ongwediva and Outapi among others.
Source: The Namibian Press Agency