Pres Ali orders design for rehabilitation of Meadow Bank Wharf within 2 weeks

– assures fisherfolks of continued efforts to upgrade facility

President Dr Irfaan Ali has instructed the Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar 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 on Thursday 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 utilized by approximately 42 fishermen several vendors, and other stakeholders.

However, upon the submission of the design for the wharf, the tendering process will be undertaken. This process is expected to be completed within two weeks.
About a year ago, the president visited the facility and promised that major rehabilitation work would be undertaken. On Thursday, he returned to see if the improvements he committed to were made.
“We did a lot of improvement from the last time but we have to put up more lights, do a shade coming right through and we got to do this wharf”.
“To do the design put in some more lights, so within four weeks we’ll go out to tender for the wharf,” The Head of State added.
Fisherfolks and other stakeholders have so far benefitted from enhanced security, and access to clean water and washroom facilities, all of which were major concerns raised during previous consultations with Government Ministers.
In addition, during his engagements with the fisherfolk, he committed to procuring a fillet machine to make their work easier.
The wharf continues to be a hotspot for robberies and vandalism which resulted in many stalls being damaged.
Since the establishment of a police outpost at the facility, the number of reported robberies has decreased.
The wharf services residents of the city and surrounding communities with wholesale and retail fish and other products, and according to Ali, its development is a priority.
His visit to the Meadow Bank Wharf comes one day after he met with firemen at Three-Door Fishermen’s Co-operative Society in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice).
During the meeting, President Ali was told that the wharf should be at least 250 feet out into the water to allow for easier access and transportation of their catch. They also asked for lights to be installed in the area to ensure their safety at night.
In response, President Ali informed the fisherfolk that he would have the Agriculture Ministry look into the construction of the wharf.
Additionally, he promised to have a shed and the tarmac rehabilitated after the Co-op members complained about their current state.
The President instructed the Regional Engineer to work with the fisherfolk and come with up an estimate for the upgrades. A timeline was given for this to be done.