THE government’s one-off grant of $150,000 to fisherfolk across Guyana was rolled out in Region Six last month.
The programme was first announced by President, Dr. Irfaan Ali some four months ago. The extended time to launch the programme was due to systems put in place by the government to ensure greater scrutiny of names submitted as valid beneficiaries for the grant. More than 5,000 fisherfolk have benefitted from the initiative, which seeks to cushion the impact of the increase in the cost of living. Many fisherfolk who received the grant have thanked the government for the timely intervention. The following is what some of them had to say about the initiative:

Reland Roberts told the Guyana Chronicle that the funds will help him effect much-needed repairs to his boat, as well as provide for his household. “We got a lot of things to do; we got children going to school, so the money will come in good. Some of it is going be spent on the boat; the seine and so damage, so I could fix that,” Roberts said.

Jagdesh Rambat said the grant could not come at a better time. Rambat, who has been a fisherman for 38 years, had recently sustained an injury which left him unable to ply his trade.
“I was doing some maintenance work on a boat, and I had a power saw in my hand, and it slip out my hand… So I end up with the injury,” the man explained. Noting that fisherfolk have recently been facing very difficult times, Rambat said: “We are very much thankful for it, because, at the moment, we are going through a struggle on the seaside.”

Bibi Nadiea Jabunauth told the Guyana Chronicle that the funds will help her do much-needed repairs to one of her boats.
“My husband, he goes out in the sea and fish wasn’t catching. Right now, he is at work, and everything is okay for now, because we glad for the little money to repair the boats and everything,” Bibi said.

Sanjay Chattergoon, of Number 62 Village, Corentyne, told the Guyana Chronicle that he had been out of work for the past three weeks after losing a toe while at sea.

“I’m happy; it means a lot to me. I have been out of work. Look, see here,” Sanjay said, pointing to his foot. “I lost my toe while at sea. I’m diabetic; I noticed a numbness, and then swelling, and when I visited the doctor, it was in a bad state, so they had to cut it off. So, right now, I’m recovering, and this money is a big help for me,” said Chattergoon, who is still grieving the loss of his wife who died last year.

Fitz Calvan, of Charity, Essequibo Coast, told the Guyana Chronicle that he is working towards owning his own boat and employing persons to work with him. He plans to use the money to improve his life.

“As a young man, and a father of one,” Fitz said, “I want to own my own boat, and go out to sea. I want to be an entrepreneur and my own boss in the fishing industry.”

Esmond Duke told the Guyana Chronicle that he is thankful for the grant, and plans to put the money to good use.
“I got a lot of plans; I want to buy another fishing boat, and put it on the water top,” Duke said, adding that fisherfolk have been reeling from the effects of flooding and climate change, and the support from the government is well appreciated. “Sometimes you get low catches; sometimes you do not get nothing,” he said, adding: “Sometimes it’s $7,000 for gas, and sometimes you don’t have the gas money, and you barely catch lil bit fish. On the water top, most time you taking blows.”