A three-day retreat, which aims at re-positioning Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR), has ended in Bo city.

The engagement seeks to find ways to improve performance of MFMR for effective service delivery.

The retreat which happened at the Galiness Paradise Resort in Bo City, Southern Province, attracted many personalities, including government officials.

The Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources Princess Dugba gave the keynote address at the programme.

The retreat was attended by representatives from the Chief Minister’s Office, Parliament, Diplomatic Corp, Development Partners and Management, Staff of MFMR ministry.

The retreat serves as a platform for participants to reflect, realign and reaffirm the ministry’s dedication to achieving excellence as well as in strengthening bonds with partners, building resilience and re- energizing itself for a greater productivity..

In her keynote address, MFMR’s Princess Dugba, described the programme as “an opportunity for staff of her ministry to reflect on and show readiness with a fresh energy to work to meet out their set targets.”

Giving a brief breakdown of the gains made and challenges faced during her tenure of office,  Mrs. Dugba said they are working assiduously to ensure that a number of projects and activities are successfully implemented, including the Chinese funded Modern Fish Harbour Project at Black Johnson Community, ensuring that fish products are exported directly to China through an Export Certificate which provides the exclusive right to doing so.

She said the fish harbour is part of Government Feed Salone Initiative.

She also spoke about the recently implemented CLOSED SEASON measure for the Artisanal Fisheries Sector.

In welcoming guests to the Programme, the Deputy Minister of Fisheries, Haja Isata Abdulai Kamara, thanked attendees for honouring their invitation, adding that they looked forward to having a very fruitful deliberation.

The Indian High Commissioner to Sierra Leone, Baisnab Charan Pradha, while conveying his thanks and appreciations to the ministry for the invitation extended to him, acknowledged the importance of the  fisheries sector to the socio- economic development of the country, Sierra Leone.

Their useful suggestions as participation in the programme, he added, will foster a new partnership with MFMR and while hoping to further strengthening the existing cordial, and bilateral relations between India and Sierra Leone.

The Envoy disclosed plans to lead a high- powered delegation from India to Sierra Leone, comprising, Head of World Fish Project, Scientists, Investors and Entrepreneurs with a view to exploring possible areas of intervention in the Fisheries Industry,  especially in the Aquaculture Sub-Sector.

The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Brima Kebbie who chaired the programme, re-echoed the importance of the programme as describes it as ” a worthwhile investment that seeks to deepen our understanding about the Ministry’s activities.”

He therefore, called on all to take the programme seriously and ensure a comprehensive Blue Print that will chart the way forward.

Interactive Technical Sessions of the Retreat, moderated by accomplished,  experts in Governance, Messrs, A R. Sowa and P. Zombo, also saw presentations of the Ministry’s activities by various Heads of Units and Fisheries Officers from various outstations.

Resolutions reckon during the Retreat included the need to  promote effective leadership, team work, strategy integration, coordination and efficiency.

It also includes the need to intensify monitoring, control and surveillance operations, a review of existing legal instruments, policies and strategies, to conduct regular research, improve institutional capacity, empower and make proper use of the PRO and ICT units to popularize activities of ministry, to increase outputs and reduce costs.

By MFMR MEDIA UNIT