VASCO
Addressing a news conference at their office in Vasco, MLOA general secretary Simon Pereira said it was at their request that local MLA Carlos Almeida intervened and took up the matter with the MPT and told them that since MLOA is major stakeholder in MPT for the last 40 years, they cannot be displaced elsewhere and MLOA should be given a permanent alternative spot for passenger jetty.
"Accordingly, we the MLOA members put up a proposal for space at the side of new proposed fishing jetty. MLA Almeida further took up our proposal with the MPT chairman and now MPT has made a plan with space alloted for passenger jetty to anchor about 40 passenger launches of MLOA in the proposed fishing jetty," said Pereira.
"Now, we request to ink an MOU between MPT, MLOA and Goa government as early as possible," urged Pereira.
Kaldas Fadte said MLOA had a meeting with the Deputy Conservator of MPT and other officials to discuss the matter. "We are happy that MPT Chairman I Jeyakumar was very co-operative and agreed to our long-pending demands, thanks to the intervention of our MLA Almeida."
MLA and MLOA member Almeida was not present for the news conference but later informed the media that passenger launches are the
most integral requirement of the port.
"Passenger launches are used by the Customs and immigration to clear ships. These launches are also used by various port users like shippers, ship agents, surveyors, shipchandlers and repairers. MPT has identified us a passenger jetty at the sides of the proposed fishing jetty. This jetty should be built by MPT on priority," said Almeida.
