Fishermen want Kamla to address party boat's use of Sando facility

San Fernando fishing Co-operative Society president Bobby Sooklalsingh raises concern about the use of the San Fernando Fishing Facility by a party boat operator. - Photo by Innis Francis

The San Fernando Fishing Co-operative has escalated its call on the Prime Minister to address concerns about a party boat docking at the newly-built $35 million San Fernando Fishing Facility.

After being unable to secure a meeting with the Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, Ravi Ratiram to discuss the matter, the co-operative's vice president, Clinton Lochan, called on Kamla Persad-Bissessar to look into the matter. He said if Ratiram was found to be failing at his job, or acting contrary to their best interest, she should make good on her promises to discipline her cabinet.

"The Prime Minister say anytime she see one of she ministers in anything, they will get rid of them. As simple as that," Lochan said.

"If the minister allow this to happen without the Prime Minister knowing anything...then he need to be replaced."

The co-operative's president, Bobby Sooklalsingh, said a party boat has been docked at pier 32 for about a month-and-a-half, displacing fishermen. Apart from simply occupying space, the fishermen expressed concern for their safety and that of their equipment.

They said the parties being hosted by the boat bring members of the public who are often intoxicated and smoking. They fear what could happen if one of the partygoers flicks a lit cigarette into one of their pirogues berthed at the pier.

"Watch how the boat is there right now. Anybody could flick a cigarette to go inside the boat and it catch a fire. Who responsible for that? I loss my boat and engine and net, who going to pay for that? The partygoers?"

More than hypothetical concerns, fisherman Randall Jagan said a party held on the night of August
16 saw partygoers completely block the jetty around 7 pm with their vehicles, forcing him to wait about an hour before he could gain access to offload his equipment and catch.

"When you ask them to move the vehicle, them say they have permission from 'the boss' so them could park up on the jetty."

The fishermen said, despite inquiries, they were never told who "the boss" was.

They fear that if the situation is left unresolved, it could set a precedent for other similar vessels and make it extremely difficult for them to ply their trade.

Calls and WhatsApp messages to the minister went unanswered.

The Prime Minister threatened to "buss" the heads of cabinet members or fire them on August 11, as she accused some, without naming them, of entertaining who she believed to be corrupt lawyers and contractors affiliated with the previous PNM administration.

In her inauguration address on May 1, Persad-Bissessar also warned she would take swift action against her cabinet and MPs if they neglected those they represent.

"For me, patriotism means speaking up, having a voice, it means not staying silent to eat ah food while the poor and working classes are being abused or taken advantage of.

"Therefore, if you, as government representatives, treat the citizens with love, I will reflect that love onto you. I say this to my incoming government members: however, if you treat the citizens with callousness, contempt, and corrupt ways, I guarantee you retribution will be swift and brutal."