ZAFICO, an organization established in Zanzibar to help the fisheries sector, has concluded plans to build a colossal fish processing plant in Unguja Island for all Tanzanians food sufficiency and safety.
As part of the project, the facility is anticipated to include a fresh and frozen fish processing factory, a fish canning factory, a dry fish factory, an anchovies processing factory, a fish oil and fish meal plant, a technical training centre and other supporting facilities.
A fish storage cold room and ice production facility are also part of the project together with vegetable, medicine and other substances storage facilities.
The government of Zanzibar has demonstrated seriousness on implementing this project as it serves as a value addition to its fisheries sector.
The president of the Zanzibar archipelago, Mr Hussein Ali Mwinyi instructed that the fish processing plant be built regardless of the challenges that earlier threatened the project’s actualization.
He said, “We have directed ZAFICO to begin implementing it alone as we look for another potential investor.”
The president also informed journalists that ZAFICO has begun the building operations and that the project should be expected to be completed soon.
Along with creating at least 450 direct jobs, this new fish processing facility is reported to engender fishing in the unexplored deep sea.
The project is among the highlights of the 2020/2025 election manifesto of the political party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), of which President Hussein Mwinyi is a member.
The president is determined to find ways of developing the isle’s blue economy in a bid to achieve a strong economy for the country in the future, as communicated by the minister of blue economy and fisheries in the signing ceremony at the ministry.
ZAFICO is operating under the ministry of Blue Economy and Fisheries alongside its minister, Suleiman Masoud Makame who urges the fishers and other respective institutions to support the project to help achieve its goal.
