Team Herald
VASCO: Vasco MLA Carlos Almeida said on Thursday that the Vasco fishing harbour project will be constructed at any cost and at same site.
He was reacting to the statement by Old Cross Fishing Canoe Owners’ Cooperative Society (OCFCOCS) President Custodio D’Souza, who on Wednesday said that the canoe owners would oppose the project and if required they would approach the courts.
On Wednesday, Custodio D’Souza had claimed that the State government, MPT and Almeida failed to take the traditional fishermen (canoe owners) into confidence before unveiling the plans to develop the bay. Therefore, he said, canoe owners would oppose the same.
In response to this allegation, Almeida said, “Vasco fishing harbour project is required for the fishermen from Mormugao Talukaa and hence this project will come up at any cost and at same site. I think that OCFCOCS President Custodio D’Souza is trying to sabotage the project, but we will not allow that to happen.”
Giving a brief account of how and why the project was proposed, Almeida said, “Fishing harbour project which is now part of development of Vasco bay plan is a dire need for the members of Goa Fishing Boat Owners Association (GFBOA). Hence as the fishing jetty project was getting delayed with so many sites were shown to the GFBOA members in past, they then approached court saying that MPT has signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with them and have not given the jetty. Following petition by GFBOA, court gave directions to the Chief Secretary to look into the matter and subsequently BJP government led by Manohar Parrikar (2012) came to power and a decision was taken that Vasco fishing jetty will be at Vasco bay as the fishermen are operating from Khariwado.”
Denying Custodio D’Souza claim that canoe owners were not taken into confidence before unveiling the plans to develop the bay, Almeida said that fishing jetty plan was shown to Canoe Owners Association.
“In fact MPT records will prove that D’Souza had attended two meetings called for the project during which certain changes were also suggested by him and the same were incorporated in the plan. Therefore, they cannot say that they were not taken into confidence,” Almeida said.
