$110M wharf commissioned for West Berbice fisherfolks

Fisherfolks, who utilise facilities at Three Door Sluice landing site situated at DeEdward Village, West Bank Berbice (WBB), Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), now have access to a wharf which will allow them to operate even at low tide.
The new $110 million wharf was commissioned on Saturday by Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha.
The new facility provides a more conducive work environment but does not replace the old facility.
“We couldn’t do both at the same time and have you inconvenienced. We have to plan and have a vision. If we had repaired that shed first then you would have had nowhere to use. Rest assured that within a few months that old shed would be rehabilitated so you will have two sheds to use,” he explained.
The Agriculture Minister noted that Government recognised the importance of the fishing industry to Guyana.
“As a Government we recognised your role, that is why over the past four years and especially over the last two years we have developed over 100 lading sites across this country. Some places where people used to land never had proper road, never had sheds, never had storage facilities, never had landing where you can come up with your catch, never had lights and never had washrooms; all those things at over 100 sites across the country we have developed to a standard where fisherfolk are enjoying those facilities.”

He said the Government will continue to make budgetary allocations to the fishing industry.
In 2025, the Government has allocated $1.3 billion to further expand the sub-sector.
Over the past two years, investments in the fishing industry were not only on the development of fishing sites but also on the provision of safety gears.
“We have been working with international organisations to implement best practices; we have been purchasing tracking devices so that we can place them on vessels going out into the ocean. We have been working with various stakeholders across the country and in the region to reduce the instances of piracy. That was a serious problem prior to 2020, and we have worked over the years to reduce piracy,” the Agriculture Minister said.
He pointed out that upon assuming office in 2020, the Government, recognising the importance of fisherfolk, has actively prioritised providing improved working conditions via the Fisheries Landing Site Enhancement Project.
“It commenced in 2023, costing over $300 million targeting over 100 landing sites across the country through the construction of washroom facilities, sheds, wharves, solar lighting, ramps, and office building. Again, in 2024, another $300 million was expended for the enhancement and development of all fisheries landing sites in Regions Two; Three; Five and Six benefiting over 300 persons,” he explained. (G4)