The scandal came to light after Citi News found out that the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), has cited over 200 cases of premix fuel diversions since January to October 2017.

[contextly_sidebar id=”XrZkh1CKlJfa2ArYHwbFJpHuqM3hB1Iu”]In the latest development, the Volta Regional Premix fuel Coordinator, Johnson Avuletey, conveyed the suspicions of some fishermen who accused his southern sector coordinator, Elikem Sewordor, of leading an organized operation of diverting and hoarding the fuel meant for the fisher-folk in the region.

According to Mr. Avuletey, his attention was drawn to the massive diversion following complaints by the fisher-folk about shortage of the product, although enough fuel has been supplied to the area.

“I am surprised that a lot of premix is coming to the region, but the fisher-folk are still complaining… I realized that some of the coordinators are not living up to expectations. They are doing their own thing,” he told Citi News.

Elikem Sewordor, who is said to be the coordinator of the entire marine belt including sections of the Volta Lake in the Tongu enclave, was accused of being the leader of a cabal that smuggles some of the fuel to Togo, and later sells the hoarded ones to fisher-folk at exorbitant prices.

Mr. Avuletey said he was in Togo about two months ago, and he managed to intercept a tricycle with Kufuor gallons carrying premix.

“When I stopped them, I realized it was full of premix. So that is the job they are doing. But I could not do anything so I just left it like that,” he recounted.

Mr. Avuletey said complaints were made against Elikem Sewordor.

“For the south, in my meetings with them, on three occasions, they complained bitterly about the coordinator, Elikem… Elikem being the coordinator, was a secretary to almost 10 landing beach committees, which is not proper.”

“When I questioned him [Elikem Sewordor], he will say now he is no longer the secretary to those committees,” Mr. Avuletey said.

Mr. Avuletey added that, although he has plans to sanitize the activities of the fuel supply to the fisher-folk, he is handicapped in terms of logistics and supposed interference from the head office.

“If we can put a very good mechanism on the ground, this hullabaloo will stop.”

When contacted, Elikem Sewordor, declined to comment on the matter, explaining that he is receiving treatment at the hospital.

Meanwhile, some fisher-folk who declined to speak on record for fear of victimization, revealed that they are paying for premix at very high prices, although the product is subsidized by government.

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By: King Nobert Akpabli/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post V/R: Premix coordinator accused of smuggling fuel to Togo appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Commenting on the scandal to Citi News, Dr. Donkor said the NPA was not proactive enough in dealing with initial reports of the diversion.

[contextly_sidebar id=”DIhaZ3ZTSciFXGIrENsBdnviuT43AKDX”]The Pru East MP said the NPA “should have cracked the whip” when it first became aware of the mismanagement and corruption in the premix distribution chain.

According to letters written by the NPA and sighted by Citi News, over 200 cases of premix fuel diversions took place since January 2017.

“The NPA is the regulator. It has the authority to crack the whip. Defaulting OMCs and their collaborators should be brought to book. But more importantly, as a nation, going forward, we need to take a second look.”

“Immediately it reared its ugly head, the NPA should have dealt decisively with it, and I will encourage the NPA to crack the whip irrespective of who is involved. We are allowing partisanship to override the national interest and I am extremely passionate about this.”

In 2016 for example, $45 million was spent on premix fuel subsidies, and Dr. Donkor stressed that “it is our [tax payers’] money that is going to waste,” hence the need for the reforms in the distribution chain.

“Subsidies are important, but they must be properly targeted and the right beneficiaries should be served. We can develop a mechanism that will ensure that at least 90 percent of whatever is designated to the fishing community gets there.”

In the diversions cited, the products ended up staying in the Greater Accra Region, though the product was documented to go outside the region.

“Fishermen in my constituency now have to buy regular fuel, and then buy engine oil to mix it to degrade it to the level that the outboard machines use because they can’t get premix,” Dr. Donkor lamented.

Revised guidelines

About 14 Oil Marketing Companies found culpable in the scandal have been banned and will no longer receive premix fuel supplies from the National Premix Fuel Committee.

The Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, NPA and the National Premix Fuel Committee, after an emergency meeting over the scandal, came out of with a six-point resolution, to ensure that all premix fuel outlets in the country will be reviewed for compliance with standard requirements.

2009 revision

Before this, premix fuel guidelines were revised in 2009, and a new National Premix fuel committee constituted in the wake of concerns with the diversion of the product.

Since the start of the distribution of the subsidized premix fuel in 1990, the government in 2008 noted that, the policy had been plagued by a proliferation of premix fuel sale points owned by individuals rather than the fisher groups, uncontrollable corruption in the premix fuel administration, rampant diversion of the product from the intended destinations, and the adulteration of regular petrol with diverted premix.

There was also a general discontent among fisher-folk identified, hence the reviewed guidelines and restructuring of the National Premix fuel committee.

The original idea of the policy was to ensure the timely availability of the product to the fisher-folk at affordable prices.

It was also to empower the fisher groups to run the premix fuel sale point at the landing beaches, and use the proceeds to develop their communities and themselves.

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By: Duke Mensah Opoku & Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Restructure premix distribution to serve fishermen – Kwabena Donkor appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.