Says authorities are now bracing up to scrap unknown vessels
MARGAO
Environment Minister Aleixo Sequeira has said things are definitely falling in place at the dengue and cholera-hit Cutbona fishing jetty post-visit of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, saying the measures are showing effect on the ground with the cases coming down drastically till date.
He, however, said his role at the Cutbona fishing jetty will end only after the task entrusted to him by the Chief Minister is fulfilled.
Taking a review of the different measures put in place at the Cutbona fishing jetty with officials of various departments, the Minister said the authorities are now bracing up to scrap the unknown vessels lying at the new Cutbona fishing jetty. Health Secretary E Vallavan, Fisheries Director Yashaswini B, South Goa district Collector, Asvin Chandru, Additional Collectors, Srinet Kothwale and Uday Prabhudesai, Deputy Collector Ganesh Barve, Salcete Mamlatdar Prataprao Gaonkar, besides a host of officials and fishing stakeholders attended the meeting.
“We have reviewed the entire gamut of issues plaguing Cutbona and the latest scenario. Positive sign is that of the 46 vessels anchored at Cutbona, four have been moved. The remaining vessels are on the way out. Seven days notices have been issued to the owners to tow away the vessel, before the authorities move in to lift them and scrap them in a few days’ time,” he warned.
Briefing the media, Sequeira said the portable toilets are in place, besides the bath cubicles. “Today, we have come across the issue of discharge of the bath water. Hence, officials have been told to test the STP at the jetty or to install tanks for collection of water,” he said.
He said the survey of the Fisheries department land is underway at the jetty adding that removal of encroachments will start once the officials get a clear picture of the situation.
While asserting that the structures dotting the jetty road will face an axe in the coming days, the Minister, however, said alternate provision for groceries needs to be made at the jetty complex for the benefit of the workers.
The Environment Minister acknowledged the cooperation extended by the boat owners under the banner of Cutbona Boat Owners Federation, saying “their cooperation has made our work easy”.
Meanwhile, Federation member Sebastian Cardozo has said the boat owners have requested the Fisheries department to provide some land at the complex to stack the dingy boats after their removal from the jetty. “Given some space for the boat owners will help temporary stacking of the dingy before the owners make their own arrangements,” he said.
He said the boat owners have already decided to contribute Rs 10 lakh every month for the portable toilets and their upkeep and maintenance.
Aleixo wishes Venzy success in resolving issues at Mobor
MARGAO: Environment Minister Aleixo Sequeira has wished Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas good luck and has hoped that the MLA resolves the issues thrown up by the outbreak of cholera at the Mobor fish landing centre.
After the outbreak of cholera at the Cutbona fishing jetty and the Mobor fish landing centre, the Environment Minister has restricted his role in supervising the implementation of the action plan at the Cutbona fishing jetty after the visit of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant.
Sequeira told the media on Tuesday that he heard the Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas during an interaction with the people at the Cavelossim gram sabha. “He was very proactive in taking the responsibility to solve all the issues. You have a capable hand at Mobor to resolve the issue. I heard him saying he will get the sanction for the water pipeline. He said he will do this and that. I wish him good luck. I hope he resolves all the issues because at the end of the day, these issues pertain to our people,” Sequeira added.
