19 Aug 2017 | 04:41am IST
Build us a jetty, Launch owners tell MPT
VASCO: The Members of Mormugao Launch Owners Association (MLOA) on Friday demanded that the Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) build a passenger jetty for them as fast as possible.
VASCO: The Members of Mormugao Launch Owners Association (MLOA) on Friday demanded that the Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) build a passenger jetty for them as fast as possible.
They also demanded that MPT sign a memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with MLOA and Goa Government allotting the space of passenger jetty to MLOA on permanent basis.
Addressing press conference in Vasco on Friday, MLOA General Secretary Simon Pereira said, “We are 27 registered launch owners with around launches operating for MPT and all of us presently provide our services to the port operations from a jetty provided by the MPT inside the port area. Now since MPT wants to expand as part of the Vasco bay development plan which includes a fishing jetty for the Khariwado fishermen, we even insist that MPT build our passenger jetty.”
“We want this work to be given upmost importance as the area from where we are presently operating has been given by MPT on PPP to a private party as part of port expansion plans and therefore we need a permanent space to operate,” he added.
On behalf of MLOA, Pereira demanded that an MOU between MLOA, MPT and government be signed as soon as possible. “We insists on an MOU, because if in future if MPT makes another plan then we might be left out without any space and hence an MOU will be safeguard out interest and the space allotted to us in the proposed plan will remain with the MLOA permanently,” he said.
Commenting about their role in the port operations, Pereira said, “Our launches are used to ferry people and provision to the ships that are at anchorage in the sea. Also whenever any vessels visits the port, the crew cannot directly come to the port area and they have to first get clearance from customs, port health and immigrations and our launches are used as ferries to take these officials, vessel crews, workers etc to the ships and back. Sometimes we also give our launches for the supply of provision to the vessels visiting the port. Therefore we play major role inside MPT when it comes to clearing the ships.”
