NPA\u2019s not doing enough<\/strong><\/p>\n [contextly_sidebar id=”CpjuFycMWzANZGoEISRRfU5T5ZWj847N”]Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show<\/strong>,\u00a0<\/strong>Mr. Owusu admitted that, although NPA is devising strategies to resolve the problem, it has to adopt a stiffer approach by sanctioning culprits.<\/p>\n \u201cThis issue is a canker that has been devouring the premix system. NPA is trying to resolve the problem but I think NPA has to be stiffer and more active in what they are doing because they are the regulators, and if there is a tracker, tracking a product from one vehicle to another and NPA as a regulator has been able to identify that this product has been diverted, the best thing that the NPA has to do is that the OMC should be sanctioned and stiffer punishment given as they have done in the case of the normal petroleum products; diesel and etc.<\/p>\n \u201cYou know there use to be a problem with diesel being diverted, going into foreign countries. NPA has brought some form of stiffer measures that if you are caught diverting product, your car is confiscated. NPA then auctions the car and the product is sold, and because of that, this incident of diverting fuel to the foreign countries has reduced drastically. So I believe the NPA should be up and doing. Writing a letter to the premix committee to stop loading those products is not enough,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Surprisingly, in each of the eight months that the NCA wrote a letter to the Premix Committee, the diversions increased in number.<\/p>\n Political cartels<\/strong><\/p>\n Asked whether there are cartels in the petroleum sector who victimize persons willing to speak up and expose culprits involved in the act, Mr. Owusu responded in the affirmative, saying these cartels are \u201creal and political.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSome of us have been checking all over talking about these cartels, but we are ready to die for our country so that is why we keep speaking about this issue because it is a lucrative business. I can equate this business to cocaine business because it is something that when you do you make money so people do not care about killing you if you are trying to block them.”<\/p>\n Premix fuel sector gold mine for party executives \u2013 Inland Fisherman<\/strong><\/p>\n Chairman of the National Inland Canoe Fishermen Council, Jacob Tetteh Ageke, had suggested that political party executives in various constituencies are involved in the act, adding that they profit hugely from the mismanagement of the distribution.<\/p>\n Mr. Owusu confirmed this, reminding the NPA to be tough regardless of political influence.<\/p>\n \u201cThe issue lies with NPA. NPA has to be tough irrespective of whoever is there because these are political people who have taken a position in this premix issue so it is very risky as an authority trying to stamp your authority on these things. I believe the NPA can do more. \u201c<\/p>\n Pre-mix fuel diversion: We can\u2019t punish perpetrators \u2013 Committee<\/strong><\/p>\n Meanwhile, the Chairman of the National Pre-mix Fuel committee, Nii Lantey Bannerman, has said his outfit does not have the power to sanction persons who divert subsidized premix fuel meant for fishermen to other areas to be sold to industries.<\/p>\n According to him, only the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) can sanction or withdraw the licenses of the Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) who perpetrate such acts.<\/p>\n OMCs making abnormal profit from diversion<\/strong>s<\/p>\n The government is spending several millions of cedis subsidizing the cost of premix fuel for fishermen, who are buying it at Gh7.20 pesewas per gallon.<\/p>\n Per Citi News\u2019<\/strong> calculations, the diversions from January to October alone have cost the country about 7 million cedis.<\/p>\n However, there are reports that those diverting the product are selling it to industries about two times the price, thereby creating artificial shortages in the fishing communities, and denying fishermen their due.<\/p>\n Below is a list of instances of pre-mix fuel diversion<\/strong><\/p>\n This is happening at a time when fishing communities in need of the fuel hardly get access to it due to its shortage and high cost in their respective areas.<\/p>\n The lack of the product in these communities affects the activities of fisherfolks, eventually leading to fewer catches, allowing excess importation of fish and fish products from other countries.<\/p>\n –<\/p>\n By: Marian Ansah\/citifmonline.com\/Ghana![\"\"](\"http:\/\/citifmonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Table.jpg\")
\nFishing industry collapsing<\/strong><\/p>\n
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