Recently appointed as head of the Ministry of the Sea, Fisheries, and Digital Economy, Laurence Ndong conducted a visit this Thursday to several departments under her authority, particularly those within the General Directorate of Fisheries — a division that was previously attached successively to the Ministries of Water and Forests, and Agriculture.
The purpose of the visit was twofold: to gain first-hand insight into the working conditions of her staff and to engage with them on their socio-professional concerns.
The reassignment of the General Directorate of Fisheries to the Ministry of the Sea reflects a necessary reorganization aimed at fostering a coherent and integrated approach to maritime resources. These include not only fisheries, but also aquaculture and other activities related to the blue economy, according to official sources.
A necessary reorganization to ensure the sustainable management of resources in a system that now requires stricter monitoring—beyond self-declared catch reports by fishing professionals and stakeholders operating in national waters.
“President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguéma has emphasized the importance of harnessing maritime resources to reduce the cost of living, create jobs, and drive economic growth. The new directorates to be established will help structure and modernize operations in order to address today’s challenges,” explained Laurence Ndong, Minister of the Sea, Fisheries, and the Blue Economy.
During the visit, several needs and expectations were brought to the Minister’s attention. Among the key concerns was the understaffing of the General Directorate of Fisheries, highlighted as a major obstacle to operational efficiency. This lack of personnel hampers resource management efforts, particularly in terms of stock assessment and catch monitoring.
In addition to human resources challenges, infrastructure issues were also identified and raised. The current buildings, which are old and poorly maintained, require renovation to provide optimal working conditions for staff. Problems related to waterproofing and equipment must be addressed to ensure the performance and efficiency of the teams.
Source: gabonactu
