FISHERFOLK and fishmongers who operate at the Meadow Bank Wharf in Georgetown are now benefitting from improved facilities following a commitment made by President, Dr. Irfaan Ali.
Through the Ministry of Agriculture, approximately $150 million has been expended to execute a number of infrastructural upgrades to the facility.
On Tuesday, Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha conducted a site visit to the area to get a firsthand look at the progress made thus far. While engaging members of the media, Minister Mustapha disclosed that the work, at 80 percent complete.
“Over 80 percent of the works have been completed. We’ve expended over $150 million dollars to do these works. I came here once again to meet with the fisherfolk, who all expressed their gratitude to the president and the government for the upgrades. They said this was the first time something like this had happened. We are doing a lot of work here to improve the entire aesthetic of this wharf. By the end of January, we should be able to complete the work and commission the wharf,” Minister Mustapha said.
He also said similar works have been done at other landing sites across the country.
“This shows our commitment to improving the lives of stakeholders. We’ve also done a lot of infrastructural upgrades at the other landing sites across the country. In fact, we’ve rehabilitated over 200 landing sites across the country. We’ve installed washroom facilities, lights, and water systems, and constructed sheds for vending. We’ve also collaborated with the Guyana Police Force to increase security. We’ve been working to improve the lives of all stakeholders in the agriculture sector and the fisheries sector is very important. A lot of Guyanese earns their living in this sector. That is why we’ve been making these investments to improve these facilities,” he explained.
Some time ago, Minister Mustapha accompanied President Ali to the site to meet with fish vendors and other workers. During the visit, the Head of State committed to executing a series of works to enhance the facility.