In less than a month, the trust managed to open a new fish shop namely in Rundu and a temporary one in Mariental worth about N$9 million in total, reports NewEra.
Other plans in the pipeline, is the construction of another fish shop in Ondangwa and one for Omuthiya and the surrounding areas in the Oshikoto Region.
The Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Bernhard Esau who is also the patron of the NFCPT, opened a fish shop in Mariental, making the first store in the Hardap Region.
Mr Esua said not so long ago, all the fish caught in Namibian waters were enjoyed only by people overseas but government made it a priority that “our own people should enjoy it as well.”
Mr Esau noted through the trust and with the assistance and corporation of the fishing industry, government remain committed to keep fish to locals and managing the stock in Namibian waters so that fish becomes and remains a staple food for generations to come.
“We also commit to maintaining a value chain that creates employment for all, from those who work at sea to operations, the trust lies in the person who sells you the best Namibian product over your shopping counters,” the Minister said.
Although, the fish shop in Mariental has opened its doors, the trust has budgeted an amount of N$5 million and construction will start by March next year on a plot of about 1016 square metres.
NFCPT Chairperson, Katrina Sikeni during the opening of the fish shop in Mariental explained that the trust is making great strides in making popular the consumption of fish among Namibians.
“We already have a fish shop in Keetmanshoop and a presence in the deep south, namely Luderitz which will also be getting a permanent fish shop soon,” she said.
Other locations across the country where the trust operates from include Walvis Bay, Swakopmund, Windhoek, Gobabis, Ondangwa, ongwediva, Eenhana, Outapi and Opuwo.
