Mayor of Portmore Keith Hinds is adamant that no living arrangements will be made for fisherfolk that will ply their trade at a newly built state-of-the-art fishing village, located along the Dyke Road in the municipality.

"I'm not prepared to tolerate any living on this facility. So whether the mayor is in control of it or a management committee is in control of it, I'm not prepared to entertain any living on this facility," a stern Mayor Hinds told the gathering during the official opening of the village recently. Mayor Hinds said he has a good reason for his concern: "There is nowhere in this facility for man, woman and four or five pickney. So understand that this is a place for business."

management

The management and operation of the fishing village will be undertaken by a committee comprising representatives of the Portmore municipality, the Fisheries Division of the Ministry of Agriculture and fisherfolk.

The facility cost over $150 million to build, while another $72 million was spent for dredging, landscaping and creating a beach. M&M Jamaica Limited, a locally-based construction company, were the main contractors for the project, which was financed and implemented by the National Road Operating and Constructing Company (NROCC).

The facility was opened by Minister of Transportation and Works, Mike Henry, alongside Ivan Anderson, CEO of NROCC, Donald Mullings, managing director of M&M Jamaica Limited and Mayor Hinds.

The fisherfolk usually operated along the Portmore Causeway, but, with the advent of Highway 2000 coming into Portmore, business slowed for the fisherfolk and the need arose to relocate them.

state-of-the-art complex

The facility, a state-of-the-art complex, has cubicles to store fishermen's equipment, workarea for fish vendors, accommodation for security personnel and a restaurant.

Minister of Transportation and Works, Mike Henry, said he understands the concerns the mayor may have about the living arrangements of the fisherfolk, and is in dialogue with those persons who may need accommodation.