MPT does not need to shift fishing jetty, says activist

Oherald: Vasco: Sunday, October 28, 2018.

In a reply to an RTI by Advocate Savio Correia, the Mormugao Port Trust stated that “MPT is already ISPS (International Ship Facility and Port Security Code) compliant and all developments are required to be planned as per the ISPS procedure.”

“The MPT stated in the EIA document that in order to be ISPS compliant, there is a need to shift the jetty from its existing location. But in the RTI reply given to me, they are stating that they are already ISPS compliant. What is the need to shift the jetty if they are already ISPS compliant?” questioned Correira.

Interestingly, the MPT refused to furnish the ISPS approval claiming that it cannot be disclosed under Section 8(1)(g) of the RTI Act, which states  that the disclosure of information which would endanger the life or physical safety of any person or identify the source of information or assistance given in confidence for law enforcement or security purposes. “How is the ISPC approval certificate, a threat to life and safety of MPT?” Correia questioned.

Recently, a notice that was published on the newspapers in 2009 by the Chairman of MPT went viral on social media. In the notice, the Chairman stated that the ISPS compliance of MPT has been questioned due to the close proximity of Khariwada Fishing Jetty to berths 10/11 and due to the large number of fishing vessels operating in the port waters. The notice further stated that such fishing jetty has to be at a permanent location outside Vasco Bay itself as otherwise, MPT will lose its ISPS compliance and merchant ships and passenger ships will stop calling at Mormugao Harbour completely.

Correia had also sought to know whether the public notice issued in 2009 was issued by the then Chairman of MPT, the names of the newspapers on which the notice was published and whether MPT had withdrawn the notice since then. The MPT gave a cryptic response by stating “The Applicant can seek the required information through related newspapers as it was Public Notice meant for General Public for which RTI is irrelevant.”

Olensio Simoes slammed the MPT for its double standards, contradictory and misleading statements “If the MPT is ISPS compliant, they can construct a jetty for the trawlers at the existing location. That way they won’t damage the environment, the beach and they won’t have to shift people to some other location,” Simoes stated.