Jamestown fishermen threaten protest over non-operational cold store

Fishermen at the Jamestown Fishing Harbour have issued an ultimatum to authorities, threatening to stage a demonstration if the harbour's cold storage facility remains non-operational by December 31, 2026. The group is expressing deep frustration over significant post-harvest losses, which they attribute to the facility’s dormancy since the official opening of the harbour. The lack of functional preservation infrastructure has left the community struggling to manage their catch, particularly during periods of high productivity. Chief Fisherman Nii Armah Wulu has voiced the grievances of the fishing community, highlighting that the current situation is undermining their livelihoods. According to Wulu, the facility has failed to function despite its completion and the harbour's formal launch. In the absence of cold storage, some fishermen were forced to dry excess fish outdoors in an attempt to prevent spoilage, an activity that eventually required intervention from city authorities to manage. The fishermen indicated that their patience has worn thin following repeated, unfulfilled assurances from the harbour management. To signal their intent, the group plans to wear red bands and engage in a formal protest if no tangible progress is made by the year-end deadline. The community has called on the relevant authorities to expedite the activation of the cold store to stabilize their income and reduce unnecessary waste. The operationalization of the Jamestown Fishing Harbour was intended to modernize the local fishing industry and provide essential services like cold storage. However, the current impasse highlights ongoing challenges in the management of public infrastructure. As the December 2026 deadline approaches, the fishing community awaits a concrete response from government and harbour management to avoid a disruption in activities at one of the capital's busiest maritime hubs.