This is according to Japanese Consultant and Resident Engineer Kunita Nataka of the Fisheries Development Department of ICONS International Corporation. He noted that the complex includes a jetty, slip-away, and a building which consists of a sales section and office on the first floor while the second floor has a meeting room and an outside terrace.
Parliamentary Representative of the area Honourable Rupert Herbert said that the facility will enable fishermen to store and have their fish sold in sanitary surroundings. During a short tour of the facility, he also mentioned that it has the capacity to dock boats during hurricanes and is a natural buffer against storms for the center of Old Road. Minister Herbert said that new jobs will be provided and it was his desire that the complex motivate the fishers to upgrade their enterprises.
Minister responsible for Fisheries Honourable Cedric Liburd said that much had been done since the officials last visited the Old Road Fisheries construction site last April.
At that time, he said that the tour had only included the outdoor aspect of the facility but on this occasion the visiting ~~Adz:Right~~party had gone into the building which was almost complete. Minister Liburd said that he hoped the complex would be used by the Old Road fishermen and those in surrounding areas. He remarked that it has been the residents who had requested the facility of their parliamentary representative.
Minister Liburd noted his pleasure with the progress of construction and thanked the contractors, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry Dr. Hermia Morton Anthony, Director of Fisheries Mr. Joseph Simmonds and the Old Road Fishermens Cooperative.
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| Work continues at the Old Raod Fisheries Complex |
Mr. Simmonds, who was also a member of the touring party, explained that the St. Kitts and Nevis Government is responsible for providing the fencing and gates of the facility as well as the utilities of electricity, water and the like. He said the smooth facilitation of necessary imported site equipment had also been ensured.
Mr. Simmonds further noted that the present undertaking is a grant aid project while another such venture termed a grass-root project will see to the placement of lockers for the fishermen. According to Mr. Nataka, this new project has a proposed start date of February 2006.
