Minister of Maritime Affairs and the Blue Economy, Kirk Humphrey (second left), looks over plans of the refurbished Pile Bay Fish Landing Facility with Reon Cornelius (left), Manager of Empire Building and Construction; Ian Stewart (second right) of Barbados Port Inc., and Architect with the project, Rianne Greaves.
Fisherfolk at Pile Bay Fish Landing Facility received the keys to their temporary facility to ply their trade as the market receives a major overhaul over the next six months.
Pile Bay Fish Landing Facility is getting a $1 million overhaul.
Yesterday, Minister of Maritime Affairs and the Blue Economy, Kirk Humphrey broke ground at the popular fishing community located just off The Mighty Grynner Highway, as government pushes ahead with plans to upgrade fish markets across the island.
The refurbishment and expansion work which is being funded by the Barbados Port Inc. should be completed within six months.
However, as work gets underway the four vendors currently plying their trade from the outdated space will not be displaced, as they received the keys to a temporary facility adjacent to the market.
“Even though we are doing major repairs here, we felt that it was important to allow the vendors to continue to be able to ply their trade, that is why we constructed this temporary facility,” Minister Humphry revealed.
The major work will result in enough room for three more fisherfolk in the fish market which is being extended by an additional 10 feet, with added countertop and work spaces.
Moreover, there will be a designated area for boats; a slipway; two storage spaces; walk-in cold room; private and public bathrooms with access for persons with disabilities; comfortable seating area between the trees; a gazebo and more.
“We are beginning construction of a facility that will be bigger than the current facility. This current facility is old, in many ways it does not contain the modern amenities that you would associate with a modern fish landing site or modern fish market,” Humphrey expressed, also revealing that Weston Fish Market will be the next facility in line for upgrades.
“We have already repaired several other markets and fish landing sites, and our next project in conjunction with the Barbados Port will be Weston Fish Market. And I want to take this opportunity to thank the Barbados Port Inc, because they came on as a partner and basically agreed to build this facility as part of their relationship with the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Blue Economy.”
Member of Parliament for St Michael North West, Neil Rowe handed over the keys to the temporary facility to fisherfolk at Pile Bay. He took the opportunity to commend the government for not leaving the men and women jobless while work is ongoing.
“Today is the beginning of a brighter future for the vendors of Pile Bay Landing Facility. I am very grateful for what is happening here this morning – the fact that this Government and the Minister of the Blue Economy did not take it upon himself to close this facility – to put the fish vendors out of work while the upgrades are taken place. But, instead created a temporary facility so they can continue earning a living within this community means a lot to me and the vendors,” Rowe said. (TL)