MARGAO
Having complied with the government’s directives to remove the scrap vessels and scrap from the new Cutbona jetty and help strengthen sanitation amenities, the Cutbona Boat Owners Federation has urged the government to expedite the implementation of the decade-old proposal to set up 50-seater toilet block at the jetty.
This was conveyed to Environment Minister Aleixo Sequeira by a delegation of boat owners led by Federation president Antonio Fernandes, Patrick Silva and Sebastian Cardozo at the South Goa district Collectorate on Friday.
They told the media after a meeting with the Environment Minister that the boat owners have implemented all the directions at the Cutbona jetty issued post-cholera outbreak at the jetty. “The boat owners have extended help and support to the government to fix the issues of sanitation and to remove the old vessels and scrap at the new jetty. The Federation is now paying Rs 10 lakh per month towards the installation of the 30 portable toilets, besides bathing cubicles for the workers at the jetty. The boat owners have also removed the old vessels, besides the dinghies at the jetty,” he said.
Patrick, however, said the government should expedite the proposal to construct the 50-seater toilet block at the Cutbona fishing jetty hanging fire for over a decade now. “Payment of Rs 10 lakh towards the mobile toilet and their maintenance is a costly affair. The government should help build the 50-seater toilet block,” he added.
Patrick also demanded that given that the Cutbona fishing jetty is the home for over 4,000 migrant workers, the government should set up a mini-sub health centre at the jetty for the benefit of the labourers.
On the fate of the new 222-metre long jetty, the Federation members said the new jetty will be of no use to the boat owners if they cannot take six-wheel vehicles on the jetty.
