Accra, Aug. 5, GNA- Coming at the heels of the recent shortage of premix fuel in fishing communities, the colour of premix fuel is to be changed to blue to differentiate the product from other petroleum products.

The measure would discourage the diversion and smuggling of the product and ensure transparency and accountability in distribution. The measure was announced on Wednesday in Accra by Information Minister, Mrs Zita Okaikoi when she addressed a durbar of fisher folks at Jamestown to explain measures government was taking to ensure that they get their quota of premix fuel at all times. She said Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) have been asked to emboss "PREMIX" on their tankers otherwise they would not be allowed to load the fuel at the refinery.

Mrs Okaikoi said tracking devices would be affixed on the tankers to enable the authorities to monitor consignments to the offloading points. Mrs Okaikoi said: "The recent shortage of premix fuel to fishing communities is not the making of government, but that of syndicates that diverts the product to sell for higher profits." The Minister urged the fisher folks to co-operate with government to make the process fruitful in order for them to reap maximum benefit from their business. Nii Amasa Namoale, Deputy Agricultural Minister said government was streamlining the activities of premix administration to curb malpractices in the distribution of the product. He tasked the Fisher folks to be vigilant and report the diversion or smuggling of the fuel to the police for immediate action. Mr Kwaku Nicol, National Premix Committee Chairman, reminded the fisher folks that government was subsidizing the product heavily and therefore any diversion would affect the economy and must therefore be discouraged. He also urged the Premix committee members in the community members to ensure prompt payment for the fuel to the Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) and make judicious use of the profit. 05 Aug. 09