The fisher -folks are also accusing their leadership of diverting the product and causing an artificial shortage.

[contextly_sidebar id=”OfEZsaThrOGmGWszAt7ARRYFRs0hI3I2″]Their threats come on the back of recent reports by Citi FM of massive diversion of premix fuel nationwide, as exposed by the National Petroleum Authority  [NPA].

At least 200 cases of premix fuel diversions have been cited by the NPA since January 2017.

In all those instances, the product was documented to be sent outside the Greater Accra region, but ended up within the region, according to information obtained by the NPA’s BRV Tracking System and Returns.

But within Tema, problems of the distribution of the product also exist.

Fishermen have been complaining about the scarcity of the products, but the product was found to be readily available on the black market on a ‘connection basis’.

Most of the pump stations at the Tema New Town landing beaches had their machines covered with sacks, and there were empty gallons because they were not getting consignments of premix fuel when Citi News’ Elvis Washington visited the area.

There were also about 500 canoes sitting idle at that landing beach with a number of frustrated fishermen who disclosed their struggle to get premix fuel for fishing.

“If you go out right now saying you want to buy some premix fuel, you would find plenty people selling. I could direct you to a place, but of I were to go there to buy, they would tell me it is finished. However, if they see someone from outside, they would sell the fuel for double the price.”

“We are going to wear our red bands because we voted for the party [NPP] to take care of us not so that we will die… by next week, we are going to hit the street. We are waiting for a permit. So the government must act. Things may get out of hand here. The big men will just realise that everybody is fighting in Tema,” another fisherman stated to Citi News.

Other instances of Premix shortage

Effects of these premix diversions have been noted in the Western Region, where fisherfolk have said the supply of premix has not been regular all year.

The Western Region has had 189,000 gallons of premix fuel diverted 14 times, mainly to Tema, since January 2017.

Fishermen in the Ekumfi District and the Mfantseman Municipality of the Central Region are also experiencing a severe shortage of premix fuel.

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Frustrated Tema fishermen threaten demo over premix shortage appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

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

The post 6 decisions gov’t has taken on premix diversion scandal appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.