Fish Scarcity Looms In Calabar

Fish may soon become a rare delicacy in Calabar, the Cross River State capital.

The Marina Beach Market is over 50 years old and is a one-stop shop for large quantity of assorted fishes and crayfish.

This is because traders under the aegis of Henshaw Town Beach Market Traders’ Union on Saturday shut down the popular Marina Beach Market in Calabar, Cross River State over an alleged imposition of high levies by government agents.

The Marina Beach Market is over 50 years old and is a one-stop shop for large quantity of assorted fishes and crayfish.

But why are they are shutting down their market?

Well, the Cross River state government is making the traders angry.

The aggrieved traders are protesting the introduction of waterfront regulatory economic levies which ranged from 200 naira to 15,000 naira.

They have now vowed not to open the market until the government reverses the new charges and levies.

The Chairman of the traders’ association, Mr. Nkereuwem Bassey, said the new levies were introduced by the state Internal Revenue Service.

“It is unacceptable for us to pay between 5,000 naira and 20,000 naira annually for waterfront allocation,” Bassey said.