Team Herald
MARGAO: In a concerted effort to improve sanitation at the dengue and cholera-hit Cutbona fishing jetty, boat owners have decided to collectively shoulder the cost of sanitation upkeep. At a meeting of the Cutbona Boat Owners Federation, they agreed to contribute Rs 10 lakh per month towards maintaining hygiene at the site.
This decision is seen as crucial in preventing potential government action, which boat owners fear could lead to the closure of the jetty if conditions do not improve.
The Federation leaders, such as President Antonio Fernandes and other key members Patrick D’Silva and Sebastiao Cardozo, emphasized the urgency of the matter. They made it clear to the other boat owners that if they failed to contribute, they risked facing the consequences, including the government shutting down the jetty. This meeting comes in the wake of growing government pressure and scrutiny.
In addition to taking on the sanitation costs, the Federation has also called on the government to expedite the construction of a 50-seater toilet block at the jetty, a project that has been delayed for nearly a decade.
Boat owners stressed that the lack of proper toilet facilities is a major factor contributing to the unhygienic conditions at the jetty, and resolving this issue should be a priority. While the Federation is prepared to contribute towards immediate sanitation needs, they insist that the long-term solution lies in completing the toilet block.
D’Silva, briefed the boat owners about the recent discussions they had with Environment Minister Aleixo Sequeira and Fisheries Department officials. According to him, the government has made it clear that the boat owners will need to not only bear the cost of the portable toilets but also handle their upkeep and maintenance. The private company CAM has quoted Rs 10 lakh per month for providing the portable toilet units, as well as maintaining them on a regular basis.
The urgency of the situation was highlighted as boat owners were given a strict deadline by the government. They have until Thursday to deposit the funds with the sanitation contractor, or the jetty faces a complete closure. To meet this requirement, it was decided that larger fishing vessels would contribute Rs 5,000 per month, while smaller trawlers would be charged Rs 3,000.
During the meeting, boat owner Kennedy Alemao suggested that fish agents also contribute towards the sanitation fund. While the Federation acknowledged that this could be an option, they stated that such contributions from fish agents might be sought at a later stage, once the immediate requirements were met by the boat owners.
Cardozo confirmed that the boat owners have decided to cooperate fully with government authorities. He noted that sanitation will be improved in the interim while awaiting the completion of the long-overdue toilet block. Cardozo emphasized that this collaborative effort would not only address the present crisis but would also help avert future risks of closure by maintaining a cleaner and safer environment at the jetty.