GROUND BREAKING CEREMONY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF US$7.2 MILLION FISHERIES CENTRE IN PORTMOUTH SET FO

Japanese Ambassador to Dominica set to attend major event

Roseau, Dominica – December 8, 2009 …….. The Ground Breaking ceremony for the construction of a modern Fisheries Centre in the Town of Portsmouth, funded by the Government of Japan will take place on Wednesday, December 9th 2009 in Portsmouth from 3pm. The US$7.2 Million Fisheries Centre is expected to be completed in February, 2011. The facility will provide the necessary fish landing facilities and infrastructure in Portsmouth, including the construction of a fish landing jetty of 120 metres, Sea Wall and River revetment, slipway, a fisheries complex to include an ice making machine, cold storage, a fish processing room, outboard mechanic workshop, market office and retailing outlets, locker rooms for fishermen and machine shops, among other facilities.

In preparation for the start of construction of the Fisheries Centre, the Government of Dominica spent close to EC$1.5 million. This sum was used:  to acquire land in the vicinity of the proposed Fisheries Centre ; clear the three wrecks in the path of the proposed facility and clear the site opposite the Portsmouth Market.

The construction of a Fisheries Centre in Portsmouth is expected to bring significant benefits to the fishers of the Portsmouth catchment area as well as tremendous economic and social benefits to the thriving Town of Portsmouth.

A number of prominent individuals representing the Governments of Dominica and Japan will be present at the ceremony. These include :Prime Minister, Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit; Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Hon. Matthew Walter; Minister for Tourism and Parliamentary Representative for the Portsmouth constituency, Hon. Ian Douglas; Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Samuel Carette; Japanese Ambassador to Dominica His Excellency, Mr. Tatsuaki Iwata; Chief Fisheries Officer, Mr. Andrew Magloire  as well as other officials from Dominica and Japan.