August 30, 2016:
Following Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley’s announcement at last Thursday’s post-Cabinet press briefing of TT$1 Million to assist fisherfolk affected by recent fish events in the Gulf of Paria, the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries has today announced an immediate outreach in the form of a two-day event taking place this Thursday and Friday at community centres in Vessigny and South Oropouche.
The outreach is designed to identify affected fisherfolk who ply their trade along Trinidad’s Southwest coast and provide monetary assistance to cover urgent household expenses, particularly to families with school-aged children.
Facilitated by the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services, and the Agricultural Development Bank, the first event takes place on Thursday 1st September, 2016 at the Vessigny Community Centre and runs from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. It will specifically target fishing communities at La Brea and Vessigny.
The outreach continues the next day (Friday 2nd September, 2016) from 9:00 a.m. at the South Oropouche Community Centre. This event will target fisherfolk from Otaheite.
While the money will be disbursed in the coming weeks, the ministry is confirming that this tranche of TT$1 Million is a financial aid package meant to help the fisherfolk in these communities. As previously announced by the Prime Minister, this is not compensation linked to the findings of any ongoing investigation or losses incurred by fisherfolk.
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For further information, please contact:
Corporate Communications Unit,
Ministry of Agriculture, Land & Fisheries
Tel: 622-1221 (Ext. 1167) / 280-7926 / 280-7949