Director of Project Implementation Unit, Mr. Owen Lewis
Local fishermen now have six new lockers available to them near the new Little Bay complex, just east of the Little Bay Market. The lockers were handed over to the Fisheries Department during a brief ceremony on Thursday, August 2.
The ceremony was held at the new parking lot directly adjacent the new lockers; this was to facilitate the handing over of the keys for the compartments from the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) to the Fisheries Department.
Foregoing the exchange, Director of (PIU), Mr. Owen Lewis gave a brief remark; he said, “Sometime last year PIU got instructions from the Ministry of Agriculture to research the construction of fishermen lockers and what we have today is the result of that research process. The lockers are in keeping with the overall design plan for Little Bay, which meant that we had to consult with the Montserrat Development Cooperation (MDC) that has responsibility for the build out of the Little Bay complex.”
Mr. Lewis proceeded to thank his team and other participating bodies for their contribution to make the structure a reality.
Honourable Minister of Agriculture and acting Premier Mr. Easton Taylor Farrell
The Honourable Minister of Agriculture and acting Premier Mr. Easton Taylor Farrell spoke after the Director. He gave an account of the steps and decisions leading to the construction of the building.
Just prior to declaring the ready for use, officially cutting the ribbon, the minister told the small gathering, which included a few fishermen: “While major works were undertaken on the Little Bay project, one of the things that should have happened was that a roundabout was to be placed at the entrance of Carr’s Bay. The lower section of the Fisheries shed should have been done and monies for that project should have been provided by the Little Bay Development Fund…However, the project came to an end and the funds were not available. Out of the ingenuity of Ministers of government, some funds came in for the department and rather than issuing it to individuals, the Premier along with us decided that we should invest the funds into this facility…”
He then revealed plans for the former structure at Carr’s Bay. “…In a few days’ time, the old fisheries shed, the lower section Carr’s Bay will be demolished…hence a number of those fishermen who are position in the lower section will be replaced or re-housed in these facilities…I know that the fishermen will be happy having a new place and I want to encourage them to take care of it and as funds become available we may very well be relocating the other fishermen who remain in Carr’s Bay,” said the Minister.
The new lockers were the second phase in the Government plan to relocate the Fisheries Department and affiliated structures from the Carr’s Bay vicinity. The Fisheries Department has already relocated to the new market complex.
The PIU in collaboration with the Architectural Department of the PWD was responsible for designing the lockers. Mr. Ewell Johnson Construction company completed the structure, under the supervision of the PIU.
