PM Skerrit on recent fish landing projects: ‘It’s about ensuring that we empower people’

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit recently qualified the rehabilitation of the fish landing sites in Dublanc and Bioche as a reflection of the government’s commitment to the local fishing community, by giving them what he says is the power to support their families.

He was speaking during the commissioning and handing over ceremony held on Monday.

The contracts valued at EC$155,078 and EC$151,009.70, respectively, were awarded to local contractors from these communities. The projects involved the rehabilitation of locker rooms, storerooms, refrigeration rooms, interior and exterior works, as well as plumbing and electrical upgrades.

“So this project is really an advancement of the government’s commitment to the fisherfolk in Dominica. And sometimes you will hear yourself as fishermen, and of course, we live in a small country, and we hear everything and we know everything. But oftentimes the government and, of course, myself, in particular as the Prime Minister who is leading the charge in these matters, will be criticized by saying we’re giving people things for free,” Skerrit remarked. “But this is not about freeness, it’s about ensuring that we empower people with the means of taking care of themselves and their families.”

He continued, “We appreciate as a government how difficult it is for anyone to be out there six, seven, 20 miles out…seeking to make a living. There are times the day is good and there are times it’s bad. And so we, as a government, always recognize that we need to give you that helping hand, that hand up so that you can see this as an investment in yourself  and your family  and treat your trade as a business.”

In the meantime, Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Blue and Green Economy, Jullan Defoe, said that the interior of the facilities features two main buildings, with the first housing the ice machine, while the second houses the locker room buildings.

He explained that the facilities will provide better access for fisher folks within the community, adding,  “upstairs of these locker room buildings is the new component which will house an office facility, and also I think the group has intention to do the vending or fishing equipment and whatever type of enterprising activity they may want to get into.”

He went on to state that most people perceive it as just a physical space, but a physical space is where things originate.

“This is the genesis of other types of economic activity,” Defoe noted.

Additionally, he said the group now has an appropriate area so that it can function,  hold its meetings,  and engage with not only the fisherfolk, but the general public.

“It is not just an area where only one set of people reside, but the area has now become a public space, like a community center, like the school, like a Health Centre,” he stated.

In a previous press release, Agriculture Minister Roland Royer said the ministry has completed renovations at the Mahaut fish landing site and is preparing to begin construction of fish vending facilities in Newtown and Fond Cole, along with fish landing sites in Stowe, San Sauveur, and Scott’s Head.

“Through these targeted interventions, the Government of Dominica reaffirms its commitment to building resilience in the agriculture and fisheries sectors while ensuring that our farmers, processors, and fishers are equipped to thrive and contribute meaningfully to national development,” he said.