Morgan Smart Development Foundation (MSDF), an NGO, in partnership with Chevron Nigeria Limited, under its “Triple E Project”, at Itsekiri and Ilaje Regional Development Councils (RDCs) communities in Delta and Ondo states respectively, is to construct 15 Improved Chorkor Fish Smoking Ovens for the economic empowerment of the women in the areas.

The project is to consolidate on its commitment to improve the lives of the women in rural coastal communities in the Niger Delta region by providing them economic empowerment through the use of alternative, effective and efficient fish processing tools such as the improved Chorkor Oven Project. The Oven will have a multiplier effect in fish smoking beyond a mere subsistence level without the stress and health hazards associated with the traditional smoking methods.

The improved Chorkor Fish Smoking Oven which is developed from local technology, produces 400 to 600 high quality smoked fishes within 3 to 6 hours period that attract higher income. The technology is inexpensive and easy to maintain and uses up to 80 percent less fuel. The Chorker Oven, is a better alternative to the obsolete process and practice of traditional smoking of fishes which is characterized by poor quality construction materials/ temperature control mechanism with low production capacities and attendant health implications. The Chorkor Fish Smoking Oven with the Banda House, with its high income generation potentials is a local technology that will contribute immensely to rural women fish processors in the Niger Delta, if fully deployed.

Source: Daily Independent