The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development is working with relevant stakeholders to ensure the availability of premix fuel, Madam Mavis Hawa Koomson, the sector minister, has disclosed.
She said once the goal of addressing the perennial shortage of premix fuel is met, there would be an equitable distribution of premix fuel to landing beaches to mitigate the impact of the shortages experienced.
Madam Koomson made these assertions when Dr. Kwabena Donkor, the Member of Parliament for Pru East, asked her about the steps the ministry is taking to end the perennial shortage of premix fuel in the Constituency, particularly Yeji.
Premix fuel supply has been irregular
She admitted that since March 2022, the premix fuel supply has been irregular.
However, allocations of premix fuel to landing beaches of the various fishing communities were based on the number of motorized canoes and fishing activities.
“Mr. Speaker, though premix fuel is allocated for fishing, Yeji as a transport community uses part of our premix fuel for fishing and transportation,” she said.
According to Madam Koomson, as part of measures to streamline premix fuel allocation, it would be based on the number of canoes and level of fishing.
In addition, she said an Electronic Vehicle Tracking System is being implemented by the National Premix Fuel Secretariat (NPFS) in collaboration with the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), which enables regulators to strictly monitor supplies to designated landing beaches, including communities along the Volta Lake.
“Mr. Speaker, there is also an intermittent update of canoe record through canoe frame surveys,” she said.
Fisheries Minister charged to deal with premix fuel diversion
In a recent interview, the Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia told the Fisheries Minister, Mavis Hawa Koomson to deal with the issue of premix fuel diversion.
He said the premix fuel meant for fishers is being diverted to retailers due to the heavy subsidies. He said the premix fuel diversions has been a significant concern to the government over the years.
“One of the critical areas also of concern to the government over the years has been the distribution of premix fuel to our fisher folks. The Honourable Minister for Fisheries is here, and it is a significant concern that she will have to address as she starts her tenure… We are truly concerned when this heavily subsided premix fuel meant for our fishers… do not reach them.”
Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Vice President
Premix fuel distribution in Ghana Digitalized
Dr. Bawumia said the government has made efforts to sanitize the distribution of premix fuel and manage the associated subsidies. The Vice President further indicated that the government has launched a process that digitized the distribution of premix fuel in the country.
He assured Ghanaians that the government will ensure the availability of petroleum products at all times at a competitive price. He also assured stakeholders in the petroleum sector that government will create an enabling environment for their businesses to thrive.
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