The department of state for Fisheries, Water Resources and National Assembly Matters has announced details of a contract agreement between it and Iwata Chizaki Inc.of Japan for the construction of Brikama Fish Market.

In a press release sent to the Daily Observer, the department revealed that the contractual agreement was officially signed in November 2008 by officials of both sides, at the Ginza Nikko Hotel in Tokyo, Japan.

Mr Lamin Nyabally, permanent secretary, department of state for Fisheries, Water Resources and National Assembly Matters, was said to have signed the document on behalf of The Gambia, while Tooru Fakusaku, senior vice president of Iwata Chizaki Inc., sign  for the contractors.

The release envisaged that the market, on completion, will make fish easily available and affordable to the average Gambians whose main supply of food and protein it is.  Apart from employment generation, the release stated, the fish market will greatly reduce post harvest losses by the provision of ice and chill rooms for storage. And this, it added, will make it possible for Gambians to sell fresh and good-quality fish in a hygienic environment, and ensure stable supplies and reduce variations in prices of fish and fishery products in the distribution process.  

In addition, the release went on, the market has a potential in reducing family expenditures on health by reduction in the incidences of food poisoning.
Construction of the fish market is expected to commence this January 2009, and be completed by December. According to the release, the direct beneficiaries of the project are fresh fish retailers, who are operating at different locations in Brikama Market, and they will be provided with 140 stalls with sinks for washing, gutting and sale of their fish.

Mr Lamin Nyabally, permanent secretary, department of state for Fisheries, Water Resources and National Assembly Matters, was accompanied to the signing ceremony by Ousman Mass Jobe, senior fisheries officer, extension and project coordinator, Brikama Fish Market.