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THE GOAN NETWORK
VASCO: A Vasco-based activist has alleged that the Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) faked claims and used International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code compliance as an excuse to evict fishing jetty from Vasco Bay.
RTI replies received by activists have revealed that there was never a situation where the MPT had been asked to remove the fishing jetty from Berth 11 to seek ISPS compliance.
According to one activist Peter Andrade, ever since the introduction the ISPS Code in 2004, MPT has always maintained that location of the fishing jetty near Berth 11 is a danger to shipping activity and that the jetty must be shifted out of Vasco Bay for MPT to be ISPS compliant.
"A former MPT chairman had told the media that MPT was in receipt of recommendations from security agencies, Home Ministry and DG Shipping that the fishing jetty must be moved out of Vasco Bay or else, Mormugao Port could lose its ISPS approval.”
"However, RTI activists have made enquiries in this regard and it now turns out that the so-called recommendations of security agencies etc to shift the fishing jetty out of Vasco Bay had been fake news. As per RTI reply issued by MPT Deputy Conservator Capt Manoj Joshi, no such records were available in his office," said Andrade.
"This ISPS compliance was an excuse by MPT to ensure that the fishermen and the fishing jetty are out of Vasco Bay, but this has been exposed.”
“In the recent public hearing, they have assured to build a fishing jetty for fisherman and will also have berths adjoining the jetty. But earlier they have maintained that the fishing jetty cannot be in the port limits as per the international convention.”
“MPT must now come out clear if they have any security threat regarding fishing activities.”
“The MPT and the state administration must also act against the former MPT chairman because he had created a fake news to try and evict fishing jetty and fishermen. Else, the MPT must produce the letter received by the then MPT chairman from DG Shipping that MPT would lose out its ISPS approval if the fishing jetty is not moved out of Vasco Bay," added Andrade.
