By Lewis French
Ojuku is a small coastal community situated in the east end of Freetown, and most of the residents of this informal settlement and coastal community are engaged in Oyster farming, as one of their major sources of livelihood.
Oyster is large flat sea creature which lives in a shell, and some types of which can be eaten either boiled or fried, by consumers of the urban settlements. It is a nutritious food with; calcium, protein, fat, carbohydrate, zinc, copper and vitamin, necessary for the body.
On this note, FEDURP/CODOHSAPA helped the farmers with some useful tools to catch more Oyster products along the creek. The tools distributed are basket, hand gloves, ropes, flash vest and some incentives to start the farming activities within the community. Prior to the distribution of tools to the Oyster farmers, there was a meeting with the stakeholders of the Community on the purpose of visitation to their community, which was to distribute Oyster farming tools.
The farmers were divided into two groups for the distribution exercise in the Community.
The Learning, Monitoring and Evaluation (LME) Officer, Richard Bockarie taught the farmers on how to utilise the tools, and develop the relevant skills of creating traps to catch more Oyster animals along the creek, devoid of destroying the mangroves, useful for breeding.
Richard also encouraged the farmers in the coastal community to exhibit commitment to the Oyster farming as major source of livelihood, adding, they should monitor their oyster traps persistently. He noted the idea of team work, in ensuring that they achieve a successful Oyster harvest before the end of every month.
He said FEDURP/CODOHSAPA will help farmers to market their harvested Oyster products to some hotels and restaurants and other food business entities in Freetown, to help improve the livelihood of farmers in the Ojuku Community. Responding to the gesture, Chief Tarawally, the Head man and Chief of the Ojuku Community and Madam Fatmata, Former Councillor of the Ojuku Community expressed gratitude to FEDURP/CODOHSAPA for the gesture, noting that all items would be utilised judiciously for intended purpose.