By MN Reporter

A Sh140million fish processing plant in Sori beach, Nyatike constituency launched three times is yet to benefit locals over electricity failure.

The fish processing plant project was launched and commissioned on August 4 where it was unveiled by Agriculture CS Peter Munya and PS for Fisheries, Aquaculture and The Blue Economy Dr Francis Owino.

Owino earlier visited it too, including area MP Tom Odege.

“The government will put up more facilities along the lake region to ensure that the fish community fully benefits from the venture,” CS Munya said adding that it was to benefit fishermen in the county and along the lake region in terms of value addition.

But fishermen said the facility is a white elephant as they have been forced to use fuel to ran the facility over lack of electricity.

had called upon the Beach Management Units (BMU) to ensure that they put the facility to good use.

However, lack of power supply has derailed activities at the plant.

However, lack of power supply has derailed activities at the plant.

The fishermen who had hoped to reap big from the plant said they were facing the same challenges they had before despite having a complete facility.

Initially, the fishermen were using fuel to run the plant.

However, they noted that they could no longer afford the amount of fuel the plant needed to operate on a daily basis.

Kennedy Otieno, a fisherman, said despite having the fish processing plant, they could not preserve their fish as there was no power.

“We most of the time get losses when it is cold. We need power at this facility as we cannot afford fuel which the machine needs,” said Mr. Otieno.

The plant uses 165 liters of fuel per day with a liter of diesel retails at Sh142.37 in Migori which is expensive.

.Sori Beach Management Unit secretary Justus Rabare confirmed the plight to Migori News.

According to Samson Kidera who is Nyanza and Western regions Regional director for Fisheries and Blue Economy said the available electricity at the plant could not run the machine as it was still in its first phase.

“We are in the process of coming with phase two so that the facility can run continuously. We want that if the stima is not working, the generator is working and if not the solar panel is working,” Kidera said adding they are yet to establish a management committee that would oversee the plant’s operation.

Kidera said through the commitee they will ensure solar panels are placed at the facility to help it function when the generator fails.