BONGAWAN: The Fisheries Development Authority (LKIM) will construct 300 units of houses for fishermen in Kota Belud.
Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Minister Datuk Salahuddin Ayub said the houses to be constructed by Fisheries Development of Authority of Malaysia will benefit 300 families of fishermen at Kg. Bira Biraan, in that district.
According to him, the allocation for the project has already been approved and the construction will begin as soon as the land has been approved for the purpose.
The construction of the houses is under the RM70 million allocations for fishermen housing nationwide, he told reporters after officiating a course on boat engines management for 50 fishermen at Kg Biau, Bongawan.
On another note, he said the people in the industry will prosper with the various types of programmes, allocations, assistance and incentives with the RM355 million allocations for LKIM.
They will be focusing on the betterment of those involved in agriculture and fisheries, he said, adding that families of fishermen or farmers can augment the breadwinner’s income through downstream businesses.
He said the spouses and family members can embark on their own businesses such as selling food and other items. Those interested and approved by his officers will be accorded RM10 thousand, in kind.
“This means we will go with them to the shops to buy the items they need worth RM10 thousand,” he said adding that this will ensure that they get what they need to start their business.
“We will not identify these participants through E-Kasih or some such channel, we will identify those who are really keen, so that we can get to the target group,” he stressed.
He said RM20 million have been allocated for this purpose nationwide.
Also present during the event were Dr Daud Yusof Assistant Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Sabah, Jamaluddin Othman, LKIM director general , Khairuddin Daud Board Member of LKIM and Mohd Jamil Abdullah Sabah LKIM Director.-BNN
