Regional News of Wednesday, 11 August 2004

Source: GNA

GOIL assures fishermen in C/R of more pre-mix

Cape Coast, Aug. 11, GNA - Ghana Oil Company (GOIL) has given the assurance that it would endeavour to supply more premix fuel to fishermen in the Central Region for the bumper fish season. The 46 supply outlets in the Region were asked to ensure that fuel supplied were paid for on time, or the Company would cut its supply to the Region.

Mr Ben Ocansey, Zonal Manager of GOIL in charge of the Western and Central Regions, gave the assurance at a meeting with chief fishermen from the 23 landing beaches in the Central Region in Cape Coast on Tuesday.

Fishermen in the Region currently receive 47 loads of the fuel a week and Mr Ocansey did not mention the quantity of fuel to be added. The chief fishermen resolved to reconcile their accounts and settle all debts they owed to the Company to enable it to continue supplying them with premix fuel.

The fishermen, who received fuel on credit basis, asked GOIL to provide the Regional Premix Committee with ledgers for proper record keeping.

They explained that the absence of ledger for recording repayment of fuel made it difficult for them to reconcile their accounts. Alhaji Mustapha Mohammed, Central Regional Premix Coordinator, urged the fishermen to settle their debts with GOIL so that the company could supply them more fuel.

He warned that if they do not repay for fuel bought, the Committee might have to "resort to a cash and carry", which would affect their businesses.

In a later interview with the GNA at Cape Coast on Monday, Alhaji Mohammed, had proposed an increase from 47 to 50 loads of the fuel per week.