The Ministry of fisheries and aquaculture development has explained that the recent dissolution of the national premix fuel committee is meant to correct a few corrupt activities including the “proliferation of Premix Fuel sale Points owned by individuals rather than fishermen who should be the actual beneficiaries of the fuel intended for their trade.”

A statement from the Ministry said the intended re-constitution of the committee will also check “rampant diversion of premix fuel from intended destinations,” a situation which creates “shortages to the disadvantage of fishermen and to the embarrassment of the Government.”

It is also meant to correct “disparity in quantity supplied and quantity invoiced,” as well as stop the “frequent, unnecessary delays in the delivery of premix fuel to designated locations across the country,” a problem that leads to “loss of income to several fishermen.”

The explanation followed Monday’s picketing by some aggrieved fishermen who stormed the Ministry to express their dissatisfaction with the dissolution of the Committee.

Below is the full statement from the Ministry:

PRESS RELEASE

MINISTRY OF FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE DEVELOPMENT ON THE PROTEST OF FISHERMEN ON PREMIX ISSUES

The Ministry of fisheries and Aquaculture Development, being the Ministry responsible for fisheries resource development and issues relating to the fisheries industry including premix fuel matters wishes to respond to the protest of some fishermen this Monday 30th of March 2015.

The Ministry presented a memorandum to Cabinet on the 24th of November 2014, in line with the Fisheries Act 625 [as amended] for the reconstitution of the National Premix Fuel Committee. This Memorandum, verified by the Attorney General’s Department was intended to reconstitute the old Premix Fuel Committee after six years in office.

The premix fuel distribution has been bedeviled with the following problems:

a. A proliferation of Premix Fuel sale Points owned by individuals rather than fishermen who should be the actual beneficiaries of the fuel intended for their trade.

b. Rampant diversion of Premix Fuel from intended destinations, creating shortages to the disadvantage of fishermen and to the embarrassment of the Government.

c. Disparity in quantity supplied and quantity invoiced.

d. Frequent, unnecessary delays in the delivery of premix fuel to designated locations across the country, leading to loss of income to several fishermen.

The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, wishes to point out that the re-constitution of the new Premix Fuel Committee, is intended to address the shortfalls in the nationwide premix fuel distribution and to ensure equitable distribution of Premix fuel to fishermen as originally conceived by the Government for fishermen in Ghana.

The composition of the National Premix Fuel ‘Committee is made up of:

a. The Sector Ministry {MoFAD}

b. Ministry of Petroleum

c. Fisheries Commission

d. National Inland Canoe Fishermen Council {NICFC}

e. Ghana National Canoe Fishermen Council {GNCFC}

f. National Fisheries Association of Ghana {NAFAG}

g. Industry Coordinator of the Association of Oil Marketing Companies {AOMC}

h. 3 Others nominated by the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development The Ministry finds it unjustified for anyone to impute ill-motives to this worthy cause championed by the Ministry for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development that has been working hard to create a sustainable fisheries industry in Ghana for the advancement of our fishing communities. This mandate of ensuring a sustainable fisheries and aquaculture industry in Ghana is in the approval letter of the President for the re-constitution of the new Premix Fuel Committee.

The Ministry therefore, wishes to assure all fishermen in the country, that the new Premix Fuel Committee will deliver more supplies to the regions at approved prices to enhance their businesses and to increase their incomes. The Ministry wishes to establish equity and fairness, and will not sacrifice the interest of 2.5 million fishermen for the parochial interest of a few individuals who are engaged in illegal marketing of premix fuel.

The Ministry finally wishes to emphasize that its doors are opened to all fishermen to discuss all fisheries-related issues.

Therefore, members of the fishing community must feel free to engage with the Hon Minister and the Ministry without resorting to such protests which do not give all of us a positive image.

The Hon. Minister and the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture, wishes to assure all fishermen that the problems of fishermen will continue to be our ultimate concern, and we will work harder to sustain the fishing industry and promote livelihoods to make Ghana a better place for fishermen and their families. Thank you.

COMMUNICATIONS UNIT MINISTRY OF FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE ACCRA. DATED: 30/03/2015