There is no assurance that authorities are monitoring the likely carting of dead tilapia out of Asutsuare in the Greater Accra region.
Last week, some locals believed to be fishmongers from Volivo, Alabonya and Aveloenye near Asutsuare in the Shai Osudoku District, were reportedly carting dead tilapia for processing as dry salted fish locally known as ‘koobi’ following the destruction of tons of tilapia.
Subsequently, the police assured of mounting barriers at checkpoints to halt such activities after it emerged that some fishmongers were carting dead tilapia from Fujian farms to process as salted fish.
[contextly_sidebar id=”Ymz5sH12TXfsFXPUjm3EGWlfAW5w3EXr”]But Citi News’ Kojo Agyeman reports that the only barrier he saw upon entering the town is the police barrier at the Asutuare Junction on the main Accra -Akosombo road.
He added that there were no police checkpoints to prevent the outflow of the dead tilapia.
Residents have also told Citi News that they have not seen any such development.
“I am always here from Monday to Sunday, but actually, there are no barriers here checking anything on tilapia. Since the incident happened, I have not seen any police officer here checking anything.
Prince, a lotto operator who operates close to the Fujian farm also confirmed that none of the measures promised by the various authorities to ensure that the dead tilapia is not sold to the unsuspecting public had taken effect.
Fisher-folk found carting dead tilapia from Asutsuare for ‘koobi’
Over three trucks full of dead tilapia have so far been buried by a Chinese fishing company, Fujian Farm at Asutsuare, under the supervision of the Fisheries Commission.
Earlier, Citi News‘ Kojo Agyeman reported that whereas officials of the company have dug a big pit where the dead tilapia are being buried, “local folks at Aveloenye were carting the dead and rotten tilapia across the Volta Lake.”
“When they saw our team coming they just sped off in their boats and crossed to the other side of the Volta Lake. They were spotted with more than six bags of the dead fish,” he added.
Speaking to Citi News, Municipal NADMO Coordinator in the Lower Manya Krobo area, Zakaria Adam said they were going to involve the police to stop the trend.
Suspected case of tilapia Lake virus: EPA to release the full report soon
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has promised to make available a detailed report on what might have led to the death of the tilapia.
Carl Fiate, Director of Natural Resources at the Environmental Protection Agency, said the investigations are being carried out to ascertain the cause of the incident.
He further disclosed that the EPA would in the next two weeks release a full report on the matter.
“We believe that within the next fortnight, we should be able to come out with a report. We have to determine which kind of poison and where it is coming from and that will help us to determine what kind of action to take.”
“We have sampled along the river right from Asutuare. We have collected some water samples and we are now going to analyze to determine if there is any causative factor that has accounted for the situation”, he noted.
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By: Nii Larte Lartey & Kojo Agyemang/citinewsroom.com/Ghana