Meadow Bank wharf rehabilitation works over 80% complete – Mustapha

…says new facility will be ready by end of January

In keeping with the Government’s commitment to rehabilitate the Meadow Bank wharf and construct a vendors’ area, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha on Tuesday reported that works on the facilities are about 80 per cent complete.
This assessment was drawn following a visit to the area where he inspected the ongoing rehabilitation works at the wharf. Some of the works planned for the facility include the planting of light poles, the construction of a police outpost and resurfacing of the tarmac among others.
These works represent a total investment of some $190 million by the Government. Speaking to the media at the end of the exercise, Mustapha highlighted that the majority of the work at the facility has been completed.
“I am happy to note that we are here now and over 80 per cent of the work has been completed. This is at a cost of over $150 million. This morning, the fisherfolks expressed their appreciation and satisfaction to the President and the Government.

They said for the first time in a long while, they are seeing a lot of work being executed here. They are seeing that the entire aesthetic of this place is changing, and they welcome that.”
In this regard, he explained that the facility is expected to be fully operational by the end of January 2025.
“We are hoping to do some additional work here and by the end of January, or just before the end of January, we can commission this wharf.”
As the Government pushes aggressively to enhance the country’s infrastructure, Mustapha stated that similar projects have been executed across the country.
“But this shows our commitment to the different stakeholders in the country. Not only the Meadowbank wharf but right across the country in different areas. Over 200 landing sites, including fishing landing sites, we have rehabilitated. We have put in new sheds. We have built washroom facilities.

We have put in lighting facilities. We have made small wharves, the major wharves, places like Rosignol.”
With fishing being one of the major agricultural activities, the Minister noted that these investments will significantly improve the lives of persons living in the country.
“And this here will bring much relief to the fisherfolks in our country. You know that in various categories, or different stakeholders in the agriculture sector, we are working to improve their lives. And the fishing sector is one of the important sectors for us. We know several Guyanese are earning their living in this sector. That is why we are enhancing it. We know several Guyanese are earning their living in this sector.”
Back in March, President Dr Irfaan Ali had instructed Minister Mustapha and his team to complete a design and submit it within two weeks for the upgrade of the Meadow Bank wharf, Greater Georgetown.
He passed this instruction during an impromptu visit to the location to experience first-hand the challenges faced by the stakeholders at the wharf. One of the major concerns raised was the need to rehabilitate the wharf which is being utilised by approximately 42 fishermen several vendors, and other stakeholders.