Kpando-Tokor (V/R), Jan. 22, GNA - Fishing and its related activities on the Volta Lake would be given a major boost when of a modern boat building yard and harbour are constructed at Kpando-Tokor this year. Mr Pius Adanuty, Acting Kpando District Chief Executive (DCE), gave the hint when he addressed the closing session of a four-day orientation workshop for about 60 fishermen, fishmongers and boat operators at Kpando-Tokor on Friday.

The workshop, which the Inland Canoe Fishermen Council organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), was prepared the participants to serve as trainers of trainers in 11 Fishing Communities in the lower course of the Lake.

They were taken through techniques on safety and survival on the Lake, maintenance of outboard motors, fire prevention and fire fighting and basic knowledge in seamanship.

Mr Adanuty impressed on fishing communities along the Lake that efforts at modernising all aspects of their trade were to ensure good financial returns from their activities while improving safety standards. He, therefore, urged them to lend their support and co-operation towards the realisation of such goals.

Mr Vincent Kaledzi, President of the Inland Canoe Fishermen Council, urged Boat Operators and passengers to commit themselves to ending the annual ritual of fatal accidents on the Lake by observing safety guidelines.

He observed that accidents arose because of the collusion between Lake Guards and Boat Operators on the one hand and passengers' disregard for their own safety as they encouraged Operators to take them on board Boats, which were overloaded.

Mr Kaledzi said improper loading and the inclination to fill every available space on the boats also accounted for the accidents. The participants called for punitive laws to deal with Boat Operators, whose disregard for safety standards resulted in accidents.

They observed that because most often the Boat Operators survived such fatal accidents and walked about freely they persisted in doing the wrong things.

The participants called for such workshops to be held at regular intervals and in the various communities so that many more people could benefit from them.