By Rayon Dyer, Freelance WriterST. ELIZABETH:
CHAIRMAN OF the Micro Investment Development Agency (MIDA), Anthony Freckleton, has disclosed that the agency has made $1 million available to fishermen in Treasure Beach, St. Elizabeth to assist in purchasing communication equipment, among other things.
Speaking in an interview with The Gleaner yesterday, Mr. Freckleton said that the funds will be disbursed through the St. Elizabeth Community Develop-ment Foundation (SECDF) and the recommendations on behalf of the fishermen will not be done by the Treasure Beach Founda-tion. He said that the loans will be disbursed at an interest rate of six per cent per annum.
"The foundation considers this as a step in the right direction, because the agency's objectives of assisting individuals at the community level is becoming a reality," Mr. Freckleton said. "We decided to do this in light of the three fishermen who were lost at sea. I think that if they had some form of communication equipment with them, their lives could have been saved".
Jason Henzell, Chairman of the Treasure Beach Foundation, explained that the process of registering the fishermen was going smoothly and, as soon as MIDA processed the applications and approve the loan, the funds will be released. He noted that this will reassure the fishermen and the community that help is available through the various
agencies.
"Without a doubt, I have played an important role in helping to make this loan package a reality. However, I must tell you that we got a lot of support from the chairman of MIDA Tony Freckleton", Mr. Henzell remarked.
Mr. Freckleton also noted that the package offered would be in the form of a revolving loan programme and this is the first step through which the fishermen would be assisted. However, if the first phase proved to be successful then we will continue to support the fishermen with other things or in other areas of their trade.
