Newly rebuilt Millie Ifill Fish Market opens in Barbados

Barbados marked the official opening of the newly rebuilt Millie Ifill Fish Market in Weston, St. James on Saturday, 21^st September 2024. The new facility now features state of the art equipment, modern bathrooms, recreational spaces, and parking to better serve the citizens of the community.

All these facilities have upgraded at a cost of BDS $2.7 million. This upgraded project was a collaboration between the Ministry of Tourism and International Transport and the Ministry of The Environment, National Beautification, Green and Blue Economy.

The reconstruction of Millie Ifill Fish Market was one of the major projects in the Corporate Social Responsibility programme which provides critical support to the fishing industry. The property was named after the Millicent Ifill, a centenarian and former fish vendor who touched many lives in the community.

The Chief Fisheries Officer, Dr. Shelly-Ann Cox called the reopening of Millie Ifill Fish Market, a significant milestone in the development of the fishing industry in Barbados.

Moreover, the Minister of Tourism of Barbados, Ian Golding Edghill stated that this building will serve as a beacon of inspiration to a new generation of workers in the fishing industry.

He further added that this upgrades in the project is a testament to the unwavering commitment and dedication of the government towards upgrading fishing facilities. He added that it also complies with their requisite standards that support fish handling and the retail of fresh catches to the domestic, hospitality, packaging, and distribution sectors.

The Minister further urged all the citizens to treat this facility as their own home so that it can be utilized not only by this generation but by several generations to come.

He also acknowledged the support by the board of directors, management, and employees of the Barbados Court Inc. Minister Edghill noted that they have continued to deliver on high expectations as a landlord, port operator and corporate citizen, even amid increasingly challenging circumstances.

The Minister added that Barbados Port Inc has always been committed to being a positive contributor to the community. He added that the port of Bridgetown has continued to invest in infrastructure grids in line with the strategic vision of the government of Barbados with the support of the maritime sector.

The tourism minister asserted that as they have witnessed the opening of this new facility, delivered at a cost of 2.7 million will play a huge role in ensuring the livelihood of a fisher. He added that this reconstruction addressed several shortcomings at an old facility related to sanitation, storage, and amenities like public bathrooms, parking facilities, and recreational spaces.

Minister Edghill further noted that the next phase of development will include the construction of a boat hollow slip away and a retaining wall. He mentioned that it would play a huge role in ensuring some proper protection to the beaches and coastal structures against wave action, which were witnessed during the passage of Hurricane Beryl.