The Tribune

By YOURI KEMP

Tribune Business Reporter

ykemp@tribunemedia.net

The Government yesterday said it is trying to raise almost $65,000 to repair stalls belonging to Potter’s Cay Dock vendors that were destroyed by fire two weeks ago.

Jomo Campbell, minister for agriculture and marine resources (MAMR), confirmed his ministry is seeking to “establish credit with a reputable company to assist with rebuilding the stalls”.

He added: “This would be provided in the amount of $64,823.62, which equates to $16,205.88 for each of the four stalls.” Premier Importers has been selected to source and provide building materials for the vendors. None of the stalls were insured, which Mr Campbell described as a “major issue”.

Affirming that insurance solutions will now be looked at for anyone operating on Potter’s Cay, Mr Campbell said: “The Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources will also work on implementing preventative measures by strengthening safety protocols, conducting regular inspections and providing training and resources to businesses in the fishing industry to better equip them to handle emergency situations.”

The recent blaze was the second time in three years that Potter’s Cay Dock stalls have been destroyed by fire. Three stalls were completely razed in April 2021, while several other stalls were damaged by a fire that cost $97,000. The necessary funding was raised by a private donor.

Neither of the two fires were caused by the vendors, and Mr Campbell described them as “victims” of events. He added that there must be a “collective effort” to ensure all parties who operate from Potter’s Cay Dock are secure even if it means mandating insurance for all vendors.

Mr Campbell said: “Potter’s Cay Dock is a place where people come out to enjoy themselves and relax. I have made it a practice for several years, visiting several stalls out there. But when you eat, you come out to enjoy yourself. You want to do so in a clean environment and it’s not just the public. The vendors themselves want to have their stalls and their facilities in the best possible condition that it can in fact be.

“So it is not as if we have led this on our own. They are also encouraged in the very same healthy sanitisation practices to take place, and it’s something we want to continue and strengthen and expand upon going forward.”