"The groundbreaking ceremony for the rehabilitation, expansion, and equipping of the Ngolome Fish Training and Processing Center took place this Monday, July 14, in the municipality of Massangano. This is an initiative of the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, part of the strategy to promote food security and technical training for Angolan youth," the government of Cuanza Norte reported in a statement that VerAngola had access to.
The project is being undertaken by the Chinese construction company Lei Jun-Ca and has a 24-month completion deadline.
On the occasion, the Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, who presided over the ceremony, "reinforced the Executive's commitment to strengthening the fishing sector and empowering communities," emphasizing that "the center will be an integrated response to the needs of training, fish processing, and environmental preservation, with a direct impact on the lives of the local population."
"We are building an infrastructure that we intend to serve future generations. A skills center that prepares young people for a productive life, boosts the economy, and contributes to the diversification of our national food base," she said, quoted in the statement.
The minister also announced the "construction of a shipping pier next to the lagoon, to facilitate the transportation of products and strengthen the sector's logistical integration."
In turn, the governor of Cuanza Norte, João Diogo Gaspar, emphasized that this project is an asset for the province and the country.
"This center, in addition to being the largest in the country in terms of technological capacity, will be a space of excellence for the technical and professional training of youth and a true engine of the local and national economy. It is a concrete response to the challenges of economic diversification, youth employment, and national food production," he stated, quoted in the statement.
According to João Diogo Gaspar, the "new infrastructure replaces an old center, now with a more robust, modern, and inclusive vision, capable of attracting young people from various municipalities in the province, promoting sustainable and replicable skills in their localities."
The rehabilitation of this center comes after the old structure was destroyed in 2023 by a fire. Thus, according to a statement from the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, that VerAngola had access to, the "new center will be built in the same location as the previous one, next to the river, in a total area of 5170 square meters."
The project, according to the department, will include an administrative and training building, a fish processing building, an outdoor commercial area, a medical center, a fishing pier, among other facilities.
According to Angop, the future center will accommodate 90 students, divided into three classes, and will also allow for the processing of two to three tons of fish, using modern techniques to ensure better food security.
After the ceremony, the Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources "offered the local community food supplies, including salt, rice, beans, and cornmeal, as a sign of institutional closeness and social support."
"Before leaving the site, the leaders took a brief tour of the Ngolome Lagoon, within the perimeter considered a fishing reserve, to learn about its natural and environmental potential," the statement from the Cuanza Norte government also states.
