Jamestown Harbour management disputes claims fishermen have been denied access to cold store

The General Manager of the Jamestown Fishing Harbour, Engineer Stephen Kwamina Owia, has dismissed claims by some fishermen that management is preventing them from accessing the facility’s cold store, insisting that the fishermen are expected to bear the cost of electricity for its operation.

He says management is yet to receive a proposed monthly payment arrangement from the fishermen, despite giving them the opportunity to compare charges at other cold stores and suggest an acceptable amount.

The disagreement follows concerns raised by some fishermen over access to the cold store at the Jamestown Fishing Harbour, with management maintaining that the facility remains available for use under an arrangement that takes its operating costs into account.

Speaking on the matter, Engineer Owia explained that the harbour initially had no cold store, prompting management to provide one to support the storage of fish.

He denied claims that fishermen had been barred from using the facility, saying their responsibility to pay the electricity bills was part of the discussions surrounding its operation.

Engineer Owia further disclosed that management had asked the fishermen to compare prices charged by other cold stores to help determine a reasonable monthly fee for the facility.

However, he said the fishermen were yet to return with their proposed amount, leaving management waiting for feedback before the arrangement could be finalised.

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