MARGAO
Traditional fishermen demanding transparency in the contentious issue of river Sal dredging has on Monday demanded that Ports Minister Michael Lobo honour his promise that the river desilting work will not start unless the Captain of Ports gives written assurances on the demands raised by them.
“We expect the Ports Minister to take note of the host of conditions raised by us before executing the desilting work,” remarked Cruz Silva, a member of the AVCB Traditional Fishermen Association.
He recalled that the Ports Minister had said that the Captain of Ports would give written assurances that the proposed desilting would not pave way for coal transportation or tourism-related activities,” he said.
Pointing out that the Captain of Ports had agreed to rope in a member of the traditional fishermen to supervise the desilting works, Cruz said the question of deputing our representative will arise only when the Captain of Ports gives written assurance on our conditions.
In the representation made to the Captain of Ports following the joint inspection of the river Sal, the fishermen association had opposed any capital dredging and use of the river for coal handling or use for tourism activities.
Further, the fishermen had demanded that further desilting works for river Sal may be tendered only after consulting the traditional fishermen and after obtaining their informed consent.
