The abandoned fish pond facility at Dekpor in the Ketu North Municipality is expected to be revived soon to create employment opportunities for the youth and boost fish production in the area.

The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Ketu North, Martin Amenaki, disclosed that efforts were far advanced to hand over the facility to a private company with the capacity to fully operate and transform the abandoned ponds into a viable commercial fish farming venture.

According to him, the facility, which has about 25 large fish tanks, has remained unused for several years, denying the community and the municipality the economic benefits and employment opportunities it was established to provide.

He explained that the Ketu North Municipal Assembly, in collaboration with the Member of Parliament for the area, Hon. Eric Adam Magbana, had been working to secure a suitable company to take over the management of the facility.

“Dekpor has a fish pond with about 24 to 25 big tanks that can employ a lot of youth. It was left abandoned for years, even before NDC came back to power. I and my MP, Hon. Eric Adam Magbana, are doing everything possible to hand it over to a company that will make good use of it to generate employment opportunities for the people,” Mr. Amenaki stated.

He revealed that a company had already expressed interest in taking over the facility and that discussions were at an advanced stage, with the necessary documentation being finalized.

“As of the end of last year, a company came, and we are finalizing things for the company to take over. If all the 25 tanks are in full operation, tons of catfish and tilapia will be produced there. It is a serious business that we are working on,” he added.

In an exclusive interview with this reporter ,the MCE said the delay in reviving the project was partly due to administrative processes involving the Irrigation Development Authority (IDA), which had oversight responsibility for the facility.

He, however, assured residents that with the support of the MP, the necessary processes were being expedited to ensure the facility becomes operational within the shortest possible time.

“We are expecting a company to take over because all the necessary preparations and documentation are ongoing,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Youth Chairman of Dekpor Horme, Mr Dauglas Senyaglo, has appealed to relevant authorities to prioritize the revival of the fish pond, stressing its importance to youth employment and local economic development.

He said the facility, since its establishment, had served not only Dekpor and its surrounding communities but also the Ketu North Municipality, the Volta Region and the country at large before it became inactive.

Mr Senyaglo called on the authorities to take urgent steps to restore the facility to its intended purpose, noting that its revival would create sustainable jobs and provide opportunities for many young people in the area.