South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Mayak Majak Madit Tokjok
The Director of Fisheries and Aquaculture in the State Ministry of Animal Resources, Fisheries and Tourism Mr. Abraham Gum Majak, on Friday, conducted extensive inspections of fish storage facilities in Rumbek’s main market to assess hygiene and sanitation.
The state is committed to organising a thorough inspection aimed at ensuring safety and implementing hygiene precautions.
The storage systems, equipped with proper ventilation, are essential for maintaining fresh conditions. This initiative aims to prevent outbreaks of diseases such as diarrhoea, cholera, typhoid, and other serious illnesses associated with poor food hygiene and sanitation.
“The inspections are conducted regularly to ensure that traders do not sell rotten dry fish to the public. Furthermore, harmful insects, such as bats, that pose health risks to the community should be eliminated when found in storage facilities by the public health department,” Mr. Majak stated during the inspection.
He emphasised that damaged or rotten fish should be buried or burned by public health officers in the presence of staff from the Directorate of Fisheries and Aquaculture.
“Anyone who violates this and sells such fish to the public will face legal action, and they will be required to explain their actions in court without hesitation,” he warned.
Mr. Majak confirmed that the State Ministry of Animal Resources, Fisheries and Tourism is prepared to inspect whether the stores are properly plastered and if plastic is used for fish storage.
He also noted the inspection of drying racks near the stores and the cleanliness of the surrounding environment. Additionally, he discovered that fried fish mixed with maize flour is being sold in the markets, which poses health risks. This practice is also a violation of health regulations, and security agencies are working diligently to hold those involved accountable.
In an interview with The Dawn, Majak revealed that last year the State Ministry of Animal Resources, Fisheries and Tourism confiscated over 60 bundles of dry fish that were unfit for public consumption across the state.
“In key transportation areas such as Leer, Madol, and Shambe, staff from Fisheries and Aquaculture are deployed to verify the quality of fish being exported to the state headquarters and beyond,” he explained.
He expressed gratitude
to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (UNFAO) for their ongoing support of the activities of the State Ministry of Animal Resources, Fisheries and Tourism.
