Fisheries Officer Kurt Hilton has disclosed that the fisheries complex in Roseau will cost $10 million to fully restore. Hilton said the current COVID-19 pandemic and border closures across the world made it impossible for Japanese contractors to work on the Roseau Fisheries Complex. He stated that the devastating destruction of the complex by Hurricane Maria has rendered the facility unusable on a full scale.
According to the fisheries officer, rehabilitation work on the fishery will last nearly one year and this is something the Japanese government is committed to doing. He noted that the government of Japan has not been able to designate a contractor for the project since border lockdown is not allowing the free passage of people across countries.
“As soon as travel restriction is lifted in Japan and citizens are allowed to travel, work can begin,” Hilton stated. “The good thing about this project is that everything has been put in place on a bilateral level.”
Hilton further explained that the World Bank programme is taking care of rehabilitating the fishing industry in Dominica and their efforts include the procurement and repairs of fishing boats, fishing gear, and the fisheries complexes. He said the restoration of the Roseau fishery will include the rehabilitation of the fish processing area and this will enable fishermen to package fish products to international standards.
According to Hilton, the entire cost outlay and redesign of the Roseau Fisheries Complex will be done by April. Then he praised the government and industry experts for the success of the recently completed 45th Basic Fisherman’s Training Course (BFTC) which held on February 16. He said the training taught new and experienced fishermen how to upgrade their skills and boost the fishing industry in the country.
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