By Yusupha Jobe
The ward councilor for Gunjur has warned the Government of a possible serious health crisis should in case the fishmeal factories in Gunjur is reopen amid the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.
Momodou Charreh Gibba, in an open letter addressed to the Ministry of Fisheries Water Resources and National Assembly Matters following the Ministry’s recent decision to allow the sea-food processing companies to start operation with minimum staff by observing the coronavirus health guideline issued by the Ministry of Health which states –
“All fishmeal establishments along the coastal settlements must not allow to be opened for operations until the situation of COVID-19 pandemic improves in Senegal. We must not allow people within ourselves to endanger the livelihood of the ordinary citizens.
He therefore reacted in that letter that “Our coastlines are porous with very little attention or weak surveillance system as to who comes in and where he/she comes from. The Covid-19 pandemic is real and must not be underestimated.”
He stated that any attempt by the government to allow the operations of fishmeal factories along the coastal communities might encourage huge influx of foreign fishing boats which in turn he said might encourage mass gatherings of people along the seaside. This he said against the social distancing one of the keys health guidelines issued out by the World Health Organization.
He re-echoed that government must not allow any attempt to reopen the fishmeal factories that are established along the coastal villages for business as the pandemic persist.
This is because there is going to be a huge influx of foreign fishing boats which no doubt will encourage mass gatherings of people doing business with the fishmeal companies.
The councilor reaction was as a result of a letter written by Ministry dated 7th April, 2020 and addressed to relevant authorities which include Ministries of Justice, Interior and Health informing them of the decision taken after consultation with pertinent authorities to allow sea-food companies to resume their operations with minimum staffs and follow WHO corona virus health guidelines.
