Sekondi, May 20, GNA - Mr Kwesi Blay, Deputy Western Regional Minister on Tuesday said fishing activities close to the oil rig was hampering oil exploration in the Region.

He advised fishermen to operate at least 60 nautical miles from the rig to ensure smooth and uninterrupted oil exploration. Mr Blay gave the advice when addressing a meeting of stakeholders of the Oil and Gas Find at Sekondi.

It was attended by personnel from Ministry of Fisheries, Western Naval Command, Kosmos Energy, Tullow Ghana Limited and fishermen. Mr Blay expressed concern about some fishermen who had refused to heed advice from the management of Ghana National Petroleum Company (GNPC) and oil companies undertaking drilling to stay away from the rig because of the risks involved.

He said tests would soon be conducted on the oil wells and it would be very risky for fishermen to operate around the area. Mr Blay asked the management of GNPC to intensify its public education on oil exploration and warned that recalcitrant fishermen would be arrested and prosecuted.

Mr Richard Addo Darko, an official of GNPC, said fishermen operating around the rigs tied their canoes to the anchor of the drilling ship and this was dangerous.

He said activities of the fishermen could have adverse economic implication for the oil exploration when not checked.

Mr Darko said the country's oil was for all Ghanaians and it was in the interest of all and sundry to assist government to exploit it. Mr Alexander Addo, Western Regional Director of Fisheries, suggested to the management of GNPC to liaise with the Ministry to intensify public education on oil.

He said the Ministry would soon institute measures to track down "Hook and Line" fishermen who operate near the oil rig.

Mr George Sarpong, Corporate Affairs Manager of Kosmos Energy, gave the assurance that the company would ensure transparency in its operations.