Several fishermen affected by the dredging of the Demerara River mouth as part of Phase One of the Vreed-en-Hoop shore base project have already been compensated, according to developer NRG Holdings.
The shore base, which is being undertaken by Vreed-en-Hoop Shorebase Incorporated (VEHSI), is a component of the Port of Vreed-en-Hoop project. VEHSI is a joint venture between NRG Holdings Incorporated—a Guyanese-owned consortium comprising Hadi’s World Incorporated, National Hardware Limited and ZRN Investments Incorporated—and Jan De Nul, a Luxembourg-based engineering and construction firm that specialises in marine services, offshore services, civil engineering, environmental management activities and project development.
“Several affected fishermen located along the channel and near shore have already been compensated. Further discussions regarding compensation are ongoing, as consultations continue,” the company told Stabroek News in a statement.
However, some fishers have told this newspaper they are still awaiting compensation.
Dozens of fishermen from the East and West Bank Demerara have been affected by phase one of project, which encompasses the deepening, widening, and dredging of the access channel in the Atlantic Ocean.
The project was described by Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat as one that will see immense benefits coming into Region Three, including employment and income-generating opportunities that will play a transformative role in developing the lives of residents.
For some artisanal fishermen it has come at their expense now that they are losing their main source of income because of the ongoing dredging.
Prior to the commencement of the dredging in July, fishermen were promised compensation after they were told by the Department of Fisheries that they would have to remove their fish pens to facilitate the dredging of the channel.
Several fishermen from the East Bank informed Stabroek News that they are still awaiting compensation.
At a meeting last Saturday at Vreed-en-Hoop fishermen from the West Bank raised concerns regarding the dredging occurring offshore and were assured by Andron Alphonso that those who are affected will be compensated and even those that are not registered with the Department of Fisheries.
Fishermen from the West Bank told Stabroek News that the situation is getting more dire as weeks pass. Due to the build-up of mud, their seines are of little use, according to Ramesh, a fisherman from the Goed Fortiun.
They now must use line fishing methods to catch fish.
Regarding compensation, a few fishermen from the West Bank indicated to Stabroek News that they were told to remove their pens and that they would be compensated since last month but to date they are still awaiting monies.
