We Have Not Seen Premix Fuel In Over Two Months Now – Akateng, Kpong Fishermen ‘Cry’
Fishermen at Akateng and Kpong, fishing communities in Upper and Lower Manya Krobo districts respectively in the Eastern Region, have appealed to government for the immediate supply of premix fuel.
According to the fisher folks, the situation is affecting livelihood negatively, thus their urgent call on government to initiate steps needed to curb the situation.
Mr Adams Kporti, a fisherman from Akateng speaking on Rite Morning Ride, said the situation at hand have slowed down fishing and other economic activities in the area; and threatened to stage a demonstration against the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development.
He said due to shortages at places where they bought premix fuel, they were compelled to go for petrol and engine oil from filling stations at high cost resulting in their inability to embark on regular fishing.
“Our canoe is most of the time, berthed at the landing beach site here because our operation cost is far outweighing our gains. If we get the premix fuel, better but without it, we run at a loss. I don’t want to talk about the women. They complain about the price of fish lately,” Mr Adams Kporti said.
Premix fuel is a blue-dyed, highly subsidized blend of fuel made for use by fishermen as government’s intervention in the fisheries sector.
National Premix Committee (NPC) established in July 2009 oversees the administration and distribution of the petroleum product to dumps at the various landing beaches across the country.
Mr. Kporti said attempts were made to get responds from the appropriate authorities but to no avail.
“Municipal Chief Executive, implored the committee to find means to settle the debt owed the OMCs for them to resume receiving deliveries for their fishing activities,” he noted.
Some of the fisher folks from Lower Manya who spoke to Rite Morning Ride also confirmed the situation and blamed the politicians for interfering in the activities of the fisheries industry in the community and also threatened to back the demonstration against the appropriate authorities involve.
“…you will hear that the premix has come but you will go there and they tell you that it’s finished. Party members in the area hijack the premix fuel and latter sell it at a higher price to the fisher folks,” a situation he said was worrying.
Meanwhile speaking to the Municipal Chief Executive of Lower Manya Hon Simon Kwaku Tetteh, he said he will commence investigation into the matter to bring the culprit to book to serve as a deterrence and also assured to do everything within his capacity to make sure premix is available.
By: Austin Ofori Addo/ritefmonline.org
