The government has negotiated for EC$67.5 million with the World Bank to develop the agriculture, forestry and fisheries sectors. This disclosure was made by the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, Reginald Austrie, while highlighting the giant strides already recorded in the industry.
The minister said fishermen and the entire fishing industry suffered a devastating blow following Hurricane Maria, and that the DLP government has done a lot to alleviate the structural damage as well as restore the livelihood of the affected fisherfolk.
Austrie recounted that the government assigned $5 million to build 100 fibreglass boats; purchase 65 50-100 horsepower engines; construct seven boat construction facilities; and build 20 fishing canoes during the first part of the project.
He went on further to reveal that a loan of EC2.4 million was accessed through the Disaster Vulnerability Reduction Programme (DVRP) run by the World Bank. A total of 365,000 fishermen benefitted from the DVRP programme, and 165 others got financial aids of up to $10,000 and yet, about 198 others also received grants of $3,000.
The Ministry further assisted fishers in the financial year 2019/2020 with engines and the purchase and construction of boats and fishing supplies at a cost of $602,616.
Reginald Austrie
The fisheries ministry also provided three ice machines to be installed at Anse de Mai, Vielle Case, and Soufriere/Scott’s Head at the cost of $120,000 so that fish caught around the island can be stored safely without going bad even for a day outside of Portsmouth and Roseau.
“We also worked with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to provide a grant of EC $160,000 for the purchase of an additional two units for Roseau,” the minister revealed.
Austrie disclosed that in Fond St. Jean and other parts of Dominica, landing sites were restored at a total cost of $250,000. Meanwhile, other landing sites will be constructed or rehabilitated in Capuchin, San Sauveur, and Stowe among others. He said the grant of EC$67.5 million to be obtained from the World Bank will go a long way into facilitating the completion of all projects earmarked for the agriculture, forestry and fisheries sectors.
This article is copyright © 2019 DOM767
