How 65-yr-old fish farm came alive in Plateau

ONE of the biggest fish farms in Nigeria, Panyam Fish farm in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau has been in limbo for quite some time due to its being abandoned by the previous administrations in the state. The fish farm, which was established in 1950, was a big market for not only the people of Plateau State but also for neighbouring states of Nasarawa, Bauchi, Benue and Gombe.

Sixty-five -year old Panyam Fish farm is reputed to be Nigeria’s largest covering a land mass of 309 hectares, with the capacity to produce about 4.9 tonnes of fish and over 10 million fingerlings annually.

The farm at a point was even adjudged as one of the largest in West Africa. Its deterioration, however, started during the military era, when its fortune nosedived; it became a shadow of itself as farming in the large pond scaled down to merely subsistence.

One of the staff of the fish farm who worked there in the 70s, Baba Gabriel Danjuma,  and who still lives in Panyam, said it was once a vibrant farm and tourist delight. he disclosed that the farm, considered as the first in Nigeria, went into comatose during the military regime after getting massive attention in the 1970s.

“The governments of the late Joseph Gomwalk, Solomon Lar gave this farm deserved attention and as well pioneered its development to international standard and money-spinning venture for the state. But immediately they left, successive governments, especially the military, did not see it as a priority.”

According to him, apart from fish production, most of the tourists visited Plateau then often paid a visit to the farm probably to appreciate its expansiveness and operational outlook. He expressed regrets that government and those saddled with the responsibility of running the farm allowed it to go under.

Since 1999, various civilian governments in the state have been making frantic efforts to revamp the farm and make it another veritable source of revenue, but the efforts never yielded fruits.

Sunday Tribune learnt that the farm if properly resuscitated has the capacity of generating about N2.7 billion in revenue yearly.

A source close to the state Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources said under the last administration, the government made attempts to source N2.5 billion loan but could not secure the facility due to some conditions attached, adding that the state government then spent two years looking for partners to resuscitate the farm.

The source said the farm, which spans 309 hectares, can produce 3,900 tonnes of fish annually and more than 10 million fingerlings, adding that it also has the potential to generate employment for thousands of youths.

“Some could buy the adult fish and process it while others may engage in the marketing of the fingerlings,’’ he added.

A cross section of those who spoke with Sunday Tribune agreed that if resuscitated and funded accordingly, Panyam fish farm would be a convenient spot for sports fishing and other related activities.

Piqued by the pathetic state of the farm, Plateau State Government recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MOU, with a private firm, Solbec Ltd, with the aim of resuscitating the farm  on a Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) arrangement.

Sunday Tribune learnt that the state government took the initiative as part of the efforts in line with its resolve to give the agricultural sector the topmost priority it deserves as a potentially great revenue earner for the state, especially in the face of dwindling oil revenue from the Federation Account.

A Director in the State Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources who did not want his name in print told Sunday Tribune that when the farm becomes fully operational, its annual revenue generating potential for the state will hit about N1.7 billion, which is about the equivalent of the state’s workers’ total monthly wage bill.

“Plateau State has huge aquatic and fisheries potential, given its clement climatic conditions and myriads of tin mining ponds. The state has about 20 dams and reservoirs with an estimated water surface area of 673 hectares, as well as 12 natural lakes with a water surface area of about 365 hectares.

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“It is expected that when the fish farm is fully back on stream, commercial activities, such as the buying and selling of the adult fish and or processing of same, as well as the marketing of the fingerlings across the country will reach an unprecedented level “.

According to him, over 1,000 abandoned mining ponds in the state, 24 have been certified fit for fish production and if all these are fully harnessed, the state could produce 4.9 tonnes of fish per annum.

But the government’s efforts have also received flaks from a cross section of people who accused the administration of simply claiming undeserved credit  for claiming it has operationalised the farm.

There are speculations over the MOU signed with a private firm, which they argued is yet to produce result, as the fish farm still remains a ghost of itself. A resident of Mangu Local Government Area, who identified himself as Babayo Ibrahim, said most of the cat fish obtained some years back to boost the farm had since disappeared.

“we don’t understand what the state government is doing concerning this farm; the Mou is yet to translate into reality.  Most of the ad hoc staff engaged have since thrown in the towel due to lack of production,” he said.

Amidst this controversy, a team led by the State Commissioner for Information, Hon. Yakubu Dati,  visited the farm with government functionaries a few days back to ascertain the position of things regarding the farm. After a guided tour by the new management, Dati stated that the state government is committed to its promise to resuscitate the farm and agriculture in Plateau State  in general, adding that the government had fulfilled its promise.

The commissioner debunked the speculation surrounding the farm  that it is yet to come on stream. He said the government efforts was in line with its policy to focus on three areas: Agriculture ,solid minerals and tourism in which the state has comparative advantage. According to him, the initiative was taken to leverage on these areas and diversify the state’s economy to boost its internally generated revenue,  adding that it was based on this premise that Governor Lalong  visited the farm in 2016 to  re-launch it.

According to Dati, the aim of the resuscitation was also part of the resolve of government to revive moribund industries in the state.

“The reason the governor directed me to visit this farm is to seek first hand information about the true state of this farm, more so that people are peddling rumour that nothing is happening in this farm. I want to tell the people of Plateau State and entire Nigeria that this administration is fully committed to the resuscitation of this famous fish farm. It is not in comatose or still lying prostrate; the farm is back on stream,” he said.

General manager of Panyam fish farm, Rauta Barry, who conducted the commissioner and other government functionaries  on a facility tour, expressed displeasure over false social media comments aimed at misleading the people on the true position of the farm, as well as discrediting the government and its good intentions.

Barry explained that the farm is currently battling with how to satisfy the ever increasing number of customers who patronise it. He confirmed that the farm is in partnership with a private consortium based on a public-private arrangement.