Task force deployed to address issues at Meadow Bank Wharf following President Ali’s visit

– priorities include provision of security, lighting, access to washroom facilities, water

The Meadow Bank Wharf will be outfitted with security and amenities, following direct instruction from President Dr Irfaan Ali when he visited the facility on Thursday.
Before daybreak, President Ali led a team down to the Meadow Bank Wharf, Georgetown with Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha after he received complaints surrounding the working conditions at the facility. Senior officials from the Guyana Police Force (GPF) were also present.
“I wanted to understand the issues myself. I wanted to be out here in the working environment to understand the challenges in the environment. That is why I decided to come so early, so that I can interact with them and see physically the challenges that they’re facing,” President Ali said.
Exchanges with persons plying their trades drew attention to the lack of washroom facilities to cater to the hundreds of people at the wharf. Another issue was the unlit environs which pose a security threat.
One person told the President, “The place is a little dark in the morning and you don’t know where they are. Somebody just pops up, chokes a man, and runs out of the yard. You can be right here sitting down, but because you have no light, a man can run through your pockets and run through the gate and there is no way to find him.”
Immediate intervention was solicited, with the Agriculture Ministry being tasked to deploy a task force to remedy some of the occupational woes. A permanent security presence is to be employed as authorities work on a developmental plan for the area.
“We will have to work immediately on establishing a permanent presence to support the industry. We will bring in some lighting facilities, washrooms, and water and then look at more holistic development plans for the area. This is an area that serves a major part of the city and beyond in retail and wholesale aspects of fisheries,” Ali explained following his inspection.
The Guyanese Head of State also acknowledged that the fisheries industry was critical to Guyana’s economy and the sustenance of jobs. He contended that his administration was making such efforts to effect sustainable operations and a stable production environment.
“The fisheries industry is a very important part of the overall socio-economic development…Fisheries is critically important. It supports thousands of jobs, thousands of truck drivers, ice houses, the boat operation, so, we’re working in supporting this industry and building capacity.”
With Government pushing the agricultural agenda, fisheries have been one of the major focal areas, where funds have been injected to support newer initiatives.
Last month, the President announced the rollout of one-off cash grants to the tune of $150,000 for local fisherfolk across the country. He explained that this measure is intended as direct assistance to the thousands of persons who depend on the fishing industry to sustain themselves and their families.