This follows a two-month closed season which commenced in January 2018, with the aim of reducing the excessive pressure and over exploitation of Ghana’s fish stock.

[contextly_sidebar id=”vH5tCsLfTnfEwbrMT9QwSSGtzKQmbjj3″]Mrs. Elizabeth Afoley Quaye, together with other top officials of the Ministry, managers of the Tema Fishing Harbour, and other players in the fishing industry, took a vessel inspection tour at the Tema Harbour on Wednesday, to commemorate the end of the season.

Addressing the media, the Minister congratulated the industrial trawlers for observing and complying with the directives on the closed season.

“I want to take this opportunity to congratulate all the industrial trawlers for observing the closed season. I wish to extend the gratitude of his Excellency, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo the President to you. He appreciates your acceptance to observe the closed season. He knows that this is going to help to replenish our dwindling fish stock.”

Mrs. Afoley Quaye after inspecting some of the trawler vessels intimated that she was impressed by the significant improvement in the condition of the vessels.

She stated that the Fishing Enforcement Unit Task-force had done a good job to ensure that the trawlers were properly maintained, painted and wash rooms cleaned.

Closed Season

The ‘Closed Season’ was enacted in accordance with sections 76(3) and 84 of the Fisheries Act, 2002(Act 625), by the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development and the Fisheries Commission.

The objective of the implementation of the closed season, which are in accordance with Ghana’s Fisheries Management Plan (Marine Fisheries Sector, 2015-2019), is to help in reducing the excessive pressure and over exploitation of fish stock.

Owners, operators and masters of industrial trawlers were directed to comply with the declared closed seasons.

Violation of the directive would have attracted fines ranging from US$ 500,000 to US$ 2 million as well as loss of the catch, fishing gear or vessel to the state.

By: citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Industrial fishing resumes after two-months of closed season appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The Deputy Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Francis Kingsley Ato Cudjoe, who confirmed this to Citi News, said they have terminated the contracts of about 25 Oil Marketing Companies involved in the distribution of premix oil across the country.

According to the Ministry, the companies were found guilty of diversion hence the decision to stop them from distributing the product.

The move follows Citi News’ reports of over 200 cases of premix fuel diversions in the country since January 2017, resulting in shortage that highlighted the inefficiencies in the regulation of the petroleum sector.

Background

Citi News discovered that at least 200 cases of premix fuel diversions had been cited by the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), since January 2017.

The Ministry of Energy, in May 2017, subsequently ordered the Fisheries Ministry to probe the companies alleged to be complicit in the fuel diversion, but that did not happen.

When quizzed on her role in the scandal by Citi News, Mrs. Afoley Quaye said the NPA was in a better position to act on the widespread diversion of premix fuel, because her Ministry did not have a tracking system to identify culprits.

The news, which came at a time when fishermen were complaining over the lack of access to premix fuel generated public uproar that resulted in a joint action by the Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, National Petroleum Authority and the National Premix Fuel Committee.

The stakeholders, after a crucial meeting over the matter, among other things decided that all premix fuel outlets in the country will be reviewed for compliance with standard requirements with those that fall short being closed down.

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By: citifmonline.com/Ghana

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The Ministries and agencies after an emergency meeting over the matter last week, resolved to among other things, ensure that the premix fuel committee ceases supply to some Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) found to be complicit in the diversion of premix fuel.

See below the 6 resolutions from the emergency meeting:

1. All premix fuel outlets must be reviewed and those that do not meet the requirements closed down

2. Supply of premix fuel to the lake region will be restricted to the various ports (market centers)

3. There must be an improved collaboration between theMinistry of Energy, Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, National Petroleum Authority and the National Premix Fuel Committee

4. Going forward, increased and wider stakeholder consultation will be employed in a bid to reform the premix sector

5. The NPFC will cease supply to the suspected OMCs

6.  The NPA and the NPFC will continue investigations and those found culpable will be brought to book.

Background

At least over 230 cases of premix fuel diversions have been cited by the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), since January 2017 to October.

The Ministry of Energy, in May 2017, subsequently ordered the Fisheries Ministry to probe the companies alleged to be complicit in the fuel diversion, but that did not happen.

When quizzed on her role in the scandal by Citi News, the Fisheries Minister, Elizabeth Afoley Quaye, said the NPA was in a better position to act on the widespread diversion of premix fuel, because her Ministry did not have a tracking system to identify culprits.

Elizabeth Afoley Quaye, also defended her decision to appoint her brother as the Acting Administrator of the National Premix Secretariat, saying he was competent enough and has since left the position, and replaced by a substantive appointee.

Both the NPA and the Energy Ministry, had until this statement, avoided commentary on the matter.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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He says fishermen must be allowed to buy premix fuel directly at fuel stations.

[contextly_sidebar id=”QIsm58qltqJHGmgqovzi3VcFX38d8JBg”]Papa Kwesi Nduom’s comment comes on the back of the recent premix fuel diversion scandal that has rocked the Ministry of Fisheries and the National Premix Committee.

In a Facebook post, Dr. Nduom, who is also the Chairman of Groupe Nduom, said making premix fuel readily available for the fishermen will help curtail all the incidents of diversions and the high cost of the product.

“Why can’t a fisherman take his or her money to a petrol station and buy pre-mix fuel without fuss? Why allow greedy politicians to mess around with the livelihood of the fishermen who are already struggling to make a living?” he quizzed.

The NPA in series of letters dated between January and October 2017, informed the National Premix fuel Committee and the Fisheries Ministry to take action against some Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) that are involved in the diversion of the product meant for fisher-folk in the country’s coastal communities.

The OMCs, according to the letter, took the consignment of pre-mix fuel at the Tema Oil Refinery, supposedly to be supplied to fishing communities outside Accra, but ended up supplying them within Accra often to industries at higher cost.

The development, which has persisted for several months, appears to be a major factor for the collapsing fishing industry, with a decline in local fish production and increase in fish imports.

Following the publication by Citi FM, many stakeholders have charged the government to take a serious view of the situation and act to avert it.

Below is the full statement of Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom

I don’t get this, about pre-mix fuel.

It has been reported in the media that…” The National Petroleum Authority (NPA), is frustrated by what it has discovered to be massive diversions of pre-mix fuel loaded from the Tema Oil Refinery. Yes, I get it the state subsidizes this type of fuel. But we have been subsidizing others too over the years.

Why can’t a fisherman take his/her money to a petrol station and buy pre-mix fuel without fuss? Why allow greedy politicians to mess around with the livelihood of the fishermen who are already struggling to make a living? I come from a fishing town, Elmina and I know what I am talking about. The government should find a better, direct way to help fishermen. Including safeguarding our part of the ocean from illegal fishing by both locals and foreigners.

Background

At least 200 cases of premix fuel diversions have been cited by the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), since January 2017.

The Ministry of Energy, in May 2017, subsequently ordered the Fisheries Ministry to probe the companies alleged to be complicit in the fuel diversion, but that did not happen.

When quizzed on her role in the scandal by Citi News, Mrs. Afoley Quaye said the NPA was in a better position to act on the widespread diversion of premix fuel, because her Ministry did not have a tracking system to identify culprits.

Elizabeth Afoley Quaye, also defended her decision to appoint her brother as the Acting Administrator of the National Premix Secretariat, saying he was competent enough and has since left the position and been replaced by a substantive appointee.

Scrap ‘badly executed’ premix policy – Wereko-Brobby

Dr. Charles Wereko-Brobby, who once served as policy adviser when the sale of premix fuel for fisher-folk was instituted, has also suggested that the whole policy as currently exists must be scrapped.

Whilst the policy introduced in 1990 was intended to help fisher-folk, Mr. Wereko-Brobby said “the intent was badly executed.”

The diversion has been viewed as extremely scandalous considering that in 2016 for example, $45 million was signed in subsidies to help fisher-folk in Ghana, whose livelihood has been in sharp decline.

“How much of the $45 million [in 2016] actually went to fishermen? It went to unscrupulous middlemen who sit on committees and misuse the funds of Ghana because they sell it off as fuels for ordinary engines. So let’s go back to square one and do the right thing.” Charles Wereko-Brobby suggested.

Premix subsidy only going into private pockets – Senyo Hosi

The Executive Director of the Chamber of Bulk Oil Distributors (CBOD), Senyo Hosi, says government needs to consider scrapping the subsidy on premix fuel, since such monies are only ending in private pockets through the diversion of the commodity meant for the country’s fisher-folk.

“The NPA I’m aware has fined some of these OMCs and some of them have paid, indicating that some of these OMCs are complicit. There is criminality associated with this, what must happen is that, people be held accountable and responsible. We have to start with the premix secretariat and the Fisheries Ministry. Why are they not cooperating with the NPA. The institutions that are failing to cooperate with the NPA must be brought to book,” he said.

“I’ll expect that the presidency should take a keen interest in this because the presidency oversees all these institutions….We should possibly even have an open inquiry because it has been lingering on for a long time. We may even need to consider scrapping this entire subsidy thing because the subsidy for premix is largely ending in private people’s pockets,” he told Richard Sky on Eyewitness News.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Stop controlling premix distribution – Nduom to gov’t appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to him, the act of the minister was inappropriate and must prompt her to relinquish her position, especially in the wake of the recent premix fuel diversion scandal that has hit the country.

[contextly_sidebar id=”HTNmu2kukzVkGFC4HLO9oO1b3XFi3T1f”]The Fisheries Ministry, headed by Mrs. Afoley Quaye, has failed to act over the issue of fuel diversion when it was brought to its attention by the National Petroleum Authority (NPA).

Following the revelations that the diversions had taken place, the fact that the Minister had appointed her brother, Joseph Botchwey, as the Acting Administrator of the National Premix Secretariat at a point in time, came as a shock to many.

With this move by the Minister raising questions relating to conflict of interest, Mr. Azeem suggested that Mrs. Afoley Quaye must step down from her position.

“You come in as a minister and you say there is a new era and you handpick your own brother to be in charge of an area that ends up with these allegations, how do you raise your head in the public? Shouldn’t you say I am bowing out because of this mess I have caused to myself, to the family and to the government that I am serving?” he questioned in an interview on Eyewitness News.

Gov’t posture to premix scandal not inspiring – Vitus Azeem

He added that he had little confidence in the Akufo-Addo administration’s ability to effectively probe the scandal.

“[I’m not questioning] just capacity but the unwillingness and refusal [of the government] to deal with these things that they promised us, and got our votes to take over the reigns of governance of this country,” he said.

Background

At least 200 cases of premix fuel diversions have been cited by the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), since January 2017.

The Ministry of Energy, in May 2017, subsequently ordered the Fisheries Ministry to probe the companies alleged to be complicit in the fuel diversion, but that did not happen.

When quizzed on her role in the scandal by Citi News, Mrs. Afoley Quaye said the NPA was in a better position to act on the widespread diversion of premix fuel, because her Ministry did not have a tracking system to identify culprits.

Elizabeth Afoley Quaye, also defended her decision to appoint her brother as the Acting Administrator of the National Premix Secretariat, saying he was competent enough and has since left the position and been replaced by a substantive appointee.

CID petitioned

Meanwhile, a civil society group calling itself the Fisheries Alliance, has petitioned the Director General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service, to investigate the suspected premix fuel diversion scandal.

In a letter to the CID, the Alliance cited President Nana Akufo-Addo’s directive to ensure investigations into any corruption allegations against his appointees as the reason for their action.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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