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HOME	OCTOBER 01st, 2005

The Ministry of Agriculture has reimbursed fishermen who repaired their fishing boats for damages sustained during hurricanes Ivan and Emily.

The Fishermen were handed their cheques amounting to $280,000.00 last Tuesday by Minister of Agriculture, George Bowen at a ceremony held at the Melville Street Fishing Complex in St. George's.

In addressing the gathering, Minister Bowen indicated that the Government of Grenada decided to reimburse those fishermen who immediately repaired their fishing vessels without waiting on government for assistance.

He noted that these fishermen saw the importance of getting the fishing industry back on stream after Ivan in order to feed the nation. According to the Deputy Prime Minister, the government was able to reimburse the fishermen because of financial assistance received from the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in the post-Ivan period under the organisation's Agricultural Emergency Rehabilitation Programme.

He pointed out that fishermen received monies that they used to repair their boats after submitting their receipts. Minister Bowen announced that $407,000.00 is expected to be spent on more than 100 fishermen who are waiting for assistance from government.

However, he indicated that these fishermen will not directly receive money but government will make direct payment to companies for materials that are needed to repair their boats.

Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture Ann Isaac pointed out that the fishermen have done a very good service to the committee and the ministry is doing its part to get all fishing vessels back in business.