By Marvin Cato | HGP Nightly News |
Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha on Friday morning visited fisherfolk at Windsor Forest on the West Coast of Demerara, following mounting concerns over difficulties accessing a proper landing site in the area.
The visit came after fishermen raised alarms about challenges affecting the safe docking of vessels, the offloading of catches, and overall ease of access to the landing, issues they say have begun to impact their livelihoods. Fisherfolk explained that poor accessibility has made daily operations increasingly difficult, particularly during low tides and adverse weather conditions.
During his engagement with the community, Minister Mustapha listened to the concerns raised and assured fisherfolk that the matter would be addressed before it escalated further. He acknowledged the importance of proper landing facilities to the fishing sector, noting that access points are critical not only for safety, but also for sustaining economic activity in coastal communities.
The Minister indicated that technical assessments would be conducted to determine practical solutions, including possible infrastructural upgrades, to improve access and ease congestion at the landing area. He also emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting fisherfolk and ensuring that challenges affecting production and income are addressed in a timely manner.
Residents and fisherfolk welcomed the Minister’s swift intervention, expressing hope that concrete actions will follow to improve conditions at Windsor Forest. They noted that continued dialogue between authorities and fishing communities remains essential to safeguarding the sector and protecting livelihoods.
