Some Chief fishermen in the Western Region have confirmed the inadequate supply of Premix fuel in their fishing communities.
They have attributed several reasons to be contributing to the current situation which is having adverse effect on their businesses.
The chief Fisherman of Abuesi, Nana Konadu V, in an exclusive interview on Adzekye Mu Nsem on Spice 91.9 Fm said that a meeting with the Fishery minister , Madam Hawa Koomson recently attributed the shortage to lack of maintainance of fuel Tanks at the various landing site and illegally fishing at the various landing beaches.
illeborating on some illegal activities such as “saiko” and the use of lights by some bigger boats owned by some Chinese companies, he said that such an act leaves the fishermen with no choice but to follow suit.
The Chief called for more education on illegal fishing to avert the trend.
On Politicization on the side of committee members to foresee equitable distribution of fuel, he also explained that though the provision in the National Premix Fuel Committe(NPFC) L.I 2333 makes the Chief Fisherman Chairman of the 7 member Committee in charge facilitating equitable distribution of Premix Fuel at landing beaches in the country, yet partisan Politics affects the effectiveness of the position therefore sometimes decision are taken on his blind side.
The Abuesi Cheif Fisherman also pointed out that the ability of a DCE and to an extent the MP to influence selection of Some Members of the Committee Introduces partisanship in the activities of the Committe hence affecting fair distribution of the Product at the various Landing Beaches in the country.
The case was no different at Ngyiresia as Fisherman also struggle to procure adequate supply of the products. Chief Fisherman of the locality , Kwesi Ackon reiterated that fishermen continuously go to fishing with rubber nets, dynamites amongst others after a series of education on illegal fishing. He applauded the ministry for introduction of close season as a necessary tool to gives the fingerlings some time to mature.
The Chief Fisherman of Axim, Nana Kofi Bentil observed that fishermen get supply of the Premix fuel but it is inadequate yet they have been managing.
The situation he mentioned, is very disturbing as the impact on fishing business is hugely affected.
Mr. Philip Kwesi Bain, a member of The Western Regional Premix Committee, added that government is taken steps to change the current tanks used for storing Premix Fuel, according to him, fishermen complained that they sell the Premix fuel early enough to avoid the drying up of the product through evaporation.”It is based on this reason why government is procuring digitsed Tanks that will avoid the evaporation which forces fishermen to sell the product faster than usual and also give adequate measurement of fuel.Goverment has begun Piloting the use of some of the Tanks at Osu and Oda and it is soon expected to be used at fishing communities”.
