[ad_1]
Some fishermen in Oistins and Christchurch are demanding full financing for their destroyed boats and calling for an urgent meeting with Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley.
They told The Nation’s team they had some pressing issues they needed to address to her, chief among them being the 25 percent grant that is part of a 30-year revolving fund.
“That 25 percent is nothing. You can’t go back to the sea with it. They say you need a boat to qualify. Where do we get a new boat? What makes me (angry) is they tell you if you take back part of the boat, they’ll give you the materials. They brought the materials here the other day, but where’s the boat to use it? How many more years before the boat can go back to the sea? We’ll have to import fish soon,” said Robert Green, a fisherman and boat owner.
Green and fellow fisherman and boat owner Charles Harewood both said they would be better off getting 100 percent financing.
“If we can get 100 percent financed, we’ll help each other get the boats back on the water. All we need is the funding,” Green said, with Harwood adding that he would not “settle for less than” full financing.
Green said his boat, Rea, needed an engine and roofing material, adding that he was willing to self-sufficient but needed more input from the government as the grant would not cover his expenses.
“We are helping ourselves, but please give us something (more) too.”
Harwood, who served as the public relations officer and treasurer of the Oistins Small Boat Association, said it would be difficult for them to obtain/pay back loans for boatbuilding, given the age of the boats.
“I’m in deficit right now. I have to pay for rent, utilities, transportation and food. How can you get a 25% subsidy if you don’t have a boat? I asked for a meeting but got no response.
“At my age, do you think I can handle the loan? They think we have no brains. Some of the boats are worth $15,000, my boat is worth $60,000, but if I can’t get 100% subsidy then we need to elect new people to run the country. My boat is named “Why Worry?” after a phrase my mother used to say, so it has sentimental value. We want to meet the prime minister urgently,” he said.
On July 5, four days after Hurricane Beryl wreaked havoc on the fishing industry, particularly the Bridgetown fishing complex, Mottley outlined short-term, medium-term and long-term financing strategies at a press conference at the Ilaro Courts. Grants and revolving funds comprise medium-term financing.
“I have directed us to work with financial institutions to establish and raise funds to set up a 30-year revolving fund to help fishermen finance any new boats.
“I also agreed that we would provide a grant equal to 25 per cent of the cost of any new vessel or repairs, which the government would cover for them, ensuring that obtaining finance would not be a significant issue,” she said at the time.
Other strategies include charitable funds and business interruption benefits.
Other fishermen, who gave their names only as “King” and “Ron,” supported Green and Harwood’s stance while raising questions about whether government-issued tractors could be used to haul boats, as well as Canada’s subsidy program.
In a recent conference call with Blue Economy Minister Adrian Forde, Permanent Secretary Yolande Howard and Chief Fisheries Officer Dr Shelly-Ann Cox, officials were surprised by the dissatisfaction of fishermen and said the measures taken were agreed to by fishermen.
“The Prime Minister did meet with fishermen’s organizations. That meeting took place approximately five weeks ago. The meeting was attended by representatives of the fishing industry, including the executive officer of the Barbados National Union of Fishermen’s Organizations, and representatives of various associations associated with the fish market.
“The Prime Minister will agree to that and there is no objection to the proposal to provide a 25 per cent grant for boat repairs,” Mr Howard said.
Ford said they could not comment further as further information needed to be discussed with the relevant parties.
[ad_2]
Source link
