Mr Reginald Niibi Ayi-Bonte, Chairman of the Pre-Mix Committee, on Tuesday said the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) has been asked to increase the annual quantity of pre-mix fuel by 5000,000 gallons to five million gallons as buffer for fishermen for their increased activities during the bumper season.

He warned that anyone caught illegally distributing premix fuel would be ruthlessly dealt. "We will descend on him like a falling building, apply the full rigours of the law and the person will even go into prison," Mr Ayi-Bonte said.

He was speaking at a meeting with the members of the Ghana National Canoe Fishermen Council in Accra.

He said government spends 784 million cedis to subsidise the production of pre-mix fuel and would not sit down for a group of people to defeat the purpose of such assistance.

He reminded them that returns for the sale of the pre-mix fuel are for the welfare of members saying the money could be used to cater for the families of members who drown at sea.

Mr. Ayi-Bonte, who is also the Member of Parliament for Ododiodioo, a fishing community in Accra, spoke strongly against diversion and said retail outlets of pre-mix fuel along border towns where diversion is rampant have been closed down.

He said other outlets that fail to render proper account of their activities would also be closed down.