Fishermen who use docking facilities on the Mahaicony River near the public road and residents living along this  river as far south as Moraikobai Mission were recently the beneficiaries of a new $6M boathouse constructed by the Administration of Region 5(Mahaica/Berbice) as part of its program of providing improved infrastructure for residents in the Region.

The new boathouse is located on the banks of the Mahaicony River at Central Mahaicony opposite the Police Station. It is comprised of eight storage rooms which residents can access to store private property such as fishing nets, boat engines, and out board engine tanks and other related valuables in a secure environment.

Prior to this, those travelling out to the coast by boat or fishermen operating in the Atlantic opposite the mouth of the River, had to endure discomfort due to having to remain with their properties during night hours to ensure their security. They will now be able to access the secure rooms for such storage in the newly commissioned boat house.

The building will be managed by the Overseer and staff of the Woodlands Farm Neighborhood Democratic Council (WFNDC). The building was officially handed over to the NDC during a brief ceremony at Central Mahaicony.

Those who attended and participated included Member of Parliament for Region 5 Ms Jennifer Wade, Regional Executive Officer of Region 5 Ovid Morrison, staff and councilors of the NDC and representatives of fishermen and villagers of Moraikobai, which is located along the Mahaicony River 90 miles south of the coastland. Wade urged the beneficiaries to take good care of the facilities so that they can benefit from it for a very long time.

Additionally, REO Morrison told them that putting the facilities in place was indicative of the Administration’s interest in helping the people of the Region to go about their day to day economic activities with infrastructural support which enables them to improve their earnings and quality of life.

A fisherman, who preferred to identify himself as Tiger, lauded the development. “It is good for security of our equipment. Everything used to be left out in the open and fishermen had to take extra effort to ensure that their items were not stolen. This makes life a much easier for us.”

Milton Andrews, a resident of Moraikobai, said the Boathouse was definitely “a step up” for the residents who travel in and out of Moraikobai with their goods using outboard engines. Regional Engineer of Region 5, Dhanpaul Sukha handed over the keys to overseer Shaundell Bristol and then officials and beneficiaries witnessed the cutting of the ribbon to make the boat house accessible to the fishermen and riverine residents of the Mahaicony River.