The Government of Grenada is providing financial assistance to fishermen to help them get their boats operational following the effects of Hurricanes Ivan and Emily.

An official government statement said that Cabinet on December 12 approved some $462,880.00 of assistance to fishermen whose boats were damage during the passage of the two hurricanes.

According to the statement, the funds would be disbursed by a voucher system based on the submission of invoices certified by fisheries officers for the items needed to repair the boats.

It also said that a grant of $16,598.13 will be made available to fishermen who already went ahead and had their boats repaired.

The funds are expected to be made available early in the New Year.

The Mitchell government has been under fire for its slow response in coming to the assistance of persons who lost their homes during the hurricane, as well as fishermen who suffered thousands of dollars of losses.