by Emmanuel H. Joseph
Government Information Service
Government has so far spent one hundred and forty thousand dollars (XCD $140 000.00) in relief payments to one hundred and forty fishers (140) affected by Hurricane Omar. Another four million dollars (XCD$4 000 000.00) was recently approved by government to assist in that effort. On Friday 5th December, 2008, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Hon. Matthew Walter, held a press conference to appraise the media on Government’s efforts to bring relief to the affected fishermen.
He said that the initial list of one hundred and forty (140) farmers has since been reviewed to determine those fishers who should continue to receive. As a result, the list has been shortened to sixty-two (62) fishers who will continue to receive the subsistence of two hundred and fifty dollars (XCD$250.00) a week.
Hon. Matthew Walter, Minister for Agriculture,
Fisheries and Forestry
In addition, the Minister said that arrangements have been made with two engine boat suppliers to purchase a total of one hundred and twenty-one (121) boat engines for distribution to fishers. Government has already purchased twelve (12) engines from Caribbean Marine Suppliers and the Dominica Marine Suppliers. These are available for immediate distribution and will be distributed to some of the fishers who have qualified for subsistence allowance.
A total of twenty-one (21) contracts have been prepared in favour of twenty-one (21) boat builders to repair forty-seven (47) boats and to build a total of twenty-eight (28) boats which were either damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Omar. The total cost is estimated at EC seven hundred and ninety-four thousand dollars (XCD$794 000).
 
Boats damaged by Hurricane Omar
The Ministry will also import eighteen fibre glass boats from Columbia to replace boats lost during Hurricane Omar. These boats are expected to be on island within eight to nine weeks.
In the meantime, Hon. Walter said that designs are being drawn up for the construction of locker rooms and boat houses. These are being built to replace those damaged by the hurricane. The communities listed to benefit are: Soufriere, Pointe Michel, Pottersville, Fond Colé, St. Joseph, Layou, Batalie, Dublanc, Glanvillia and Toucarie. The Ministry has also placed order for fishing gear and equipment which will be distributed to the fishers needing such assistance. |
