Deputy Minister in Charge of Fishery, Mr Moses Anim, has expressed shock over claims from fishermen that there is a shortage of premix fuel in the country.
His surprise stems from the fact that, in spite of a whopping 101.6 million litres of premix fuel released to them (fisherfolks) on an annual basis, fisherfolks still complain of insufficient premix fuel.
Based on this, he concluded that some unscrupulous people within the fishing sector were stealing and selling premix fuel at the expense of the fisherfolk.
Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency(GNA) Mr
Anim who doubles as the MP for the Trobu Constituency, further disclosed that the government spends huge sums of money to subsidise premix fuel.
He asserted that the government spends “between GHC150 and GHC200 million” to subsidise premix fuel. Consequently, there should not be a reason for shortages in the country, he said. Touching on how the government intends to curb the unexplained shortages of premix fuel, he noted that the government would soon implement the automation system for premix fuel to regularise the usage and monitor how the premix fuel has been distributed to the over 300 landing beaches.
He noted that the automation system offers the best solution to the illegality associated with premixed fuel.
He further charged premix fuel committees at the various landing beaches to ensure that the right things were done to safeguard the interest of the players in the fishery industry.
On his part, Communications Officer, Volta Regional chapter of the Ghana National Canoe Fishermen Council, Mr Vance Kweku Adedze, explained that the fisherfolk population has expanded which called for increase in resources allocation.
He said some resources including the premix fuel given by the government were inadequate to meet the demand of fishermen.
He said other fishermen thronged the Volta waters at night during the close season, stressing that marine officers have been duly informed, but no actions have been taken to safeguard the inshore boundaries in the Volta Region.
Mr Adedze also called for serious surveillance at some vantage points within the enclave to regulate and monitor people who invade the Volta shores illegally for fishing activities.
Source: The Independent Ghana