News

Fisherfolk disgruntled that Gov't broke its word

By ROMELL NEWBY, Star Reporter

MONTHS AFTER BEING promised temporary sanitary and garbage disposal facilities, the fisherfolk at the Portmore Causeway Fishing Village are upset that the Government has not kept its end of the bargain.

They are also contending that they have not received all the money promised to them for the compensation for their sheds, after they were relocated last year, when the construction of the Portmore leg of Highway 2000 was to begin.

Empty Promises

A document prepared by Environmental Solutions Ltd., consultants to the National Road Operation and Construction Company (NROCC), outlines the offerings. Provision of running water, sanitary conveniences, solid waste management facilities and assistance with structures for relocation were to be provided after the temporary removal of the fishermen to lands owned by the Port Authority of Jamaica.

Lumber was provided for re-construction, but nothing more has been said or done about the facilities that should have been provided.

Bad Bargain

The fisherfolk have been crying foul, as they claim some persons have only received half of the $30,000 they each were to receive as compensation for removing the makeshift structures from the bay side of the causeway to facilitate the construction of the new highway.

THE STAR visited the Portmore fishing village to speak with the fisherfolk. A fisherman who refused to give his name, voiced his concern about their safety at Jamworld in the environs of the Waterford community. "Moving again, is not our greatest option, dem a send wi inna a whole new world weh wi nuh know nobody an wi nuh know if wi fish a go sell," he said.

The visit showed what seems to be a small community mainly made up of plyboard and zinc structures, befitted with a sparsely stocked shop and a small bar. When asked about persons living on the fishing beach, another fisherman said, owing to the nature of the trade, this may be unavoidable also adding that some persons chose to permanently reside on the property to safeguard their equipment and property. He noted that many of the fishermen are from Waltham, Hunts Bay and neighbouring communities and they travel on bicycles to and from the causeway.

Efforts to speak with Dr. Wayne Reid of NROCC proved futile.

For more than two decades, the illegally occupied Portmore causeway area has provided for the livelihood of the fisherfolk.