-by Kyler Rollins
Fisherfolk operating out of Sheet Anchor, East Canje, are expected to benefit from improved facilities following an $80 million upgrade announced by Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha.
The investment is aimed at improving the facilities and providing fisherfolk with better conditions to carry out their day-to-day operations.
Among the improvements planned for the area are the construction of shed, fencing, a landing site and washroom facilities.
Minister Mustapha said work will commence once the revetment works being undertaken by the Ministry of Public Works are completed.
“Upon completion of that project, the Ministry of Agriculture now…I’ve just instructed the engineer and the fisheries officer to start work on the bill of quantities. We’ll be spending approximately $80 million here to do a shed, fence the area and do a proper landing site so that the fisherfolks can get proper place to moor their boat when they come out here and get proper security,” he said.
The area has also been used as a mooring point for boats travelling from Baracara and other communities along the Canje Creek.
Against this backdrop, Minister Mustapha said systems will be put in place to ensure that both creek travellers and fisherfolk can make use of the upgraded landing facility.
“I will be meeting with farmers in Canje Creek and tell them about the project that we will have here. They’ll have to work and collaborate with the fisherfolks here. But the fisherfolk, the coop will be responsible for the maintenance and the supervision of this project that we will be doing here together with the fisheries department,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Minister said fisherfolk who missed the first distribution of the $150,000 cash grant will soon receive their payments during the second tranche.