Tracking devices to be installed on premix fuel tankers

- Sherry Ayittey hints

Government is determined to address the perennial challenges associated with supply of pre-mix fuel to improve the supply chain to the fishing industry.

The Ministry has therefore engaged the services of a consultant to solicit views of all stakeholders and come up of guidelines that will ensure timely supply of the product.

The effort is part of measures to revamp the industry to achieve sustainable livelihood for Ghanaian fisher folks.

The five months assignment, to be undertaken by Mr. Kwame Asante of Kwame Asante and Associates, is expected to inject sanity into the procurement, distribution, pricing and use of pre mix fuel.

This was disclosed by the sector minister, Madam Sherry Ayittey last week during a stakeholders meeting to adopt best practices for transparency, accountability, efficiency and effectiveness of pre-mix fuel distribution and to address concerns of various groups.

According to her, the work of the consultant is to investigate the processes to ensure fairness through monitoring and tracking of all premix fuel.

She hinted that it will be mandatory for all fuel tankers transporting pre mix product to install tracking devices to check abuse and diversion so as to make the product available to fishing communities at the right time and in the right quantities.

“You will not be part of the distribution chain if you have not installed a tracking device on your tanker,” she stated.

She tasked stakeholders to offer their inputs and own the outcome of a workable guideline in conformity with new legislations to advance the development and growth of the industry.

“We want our fishermen to know we care for them hence our commitment to implementing policies and programmes to ensure constant supply of fuel and also protect the country’s marine fishes through the use of approved methods of fishing,” she stated.

The outcome of the report, she stated, will help communities to utilize profits from the sale of the pre mix to develop their areas, adding that the ministry is planning to institute awards to encourage prudent use of the resource.

Stakeholders averred that the meeting is a sign of government’s commitment to sustaining the pre mix system by adopting a button-up approach to build consensus on the way forward.

The Ministry of Fisheries an Aquaculture Development (MCFAD) provides supervisory responsibility with respect to the functions of the National Premix Committee (NPC) and the National Premix Secretariat (NPS) in ensuring that Pre-mix fuel is delivered timely to Landing Beach Committees and at affordable prices to facilitate productivity and profitability of the local fisheries industry.

The coordination of delivery of premix fuel to local fishing communities has, however, been confronted with many challenges including diversion of fuel to unauthorized recipients and sale of fuel at prices above recommended prices with adverse impact on the operations of fishermen and loss of revenue to government.

The foregoing was instrumental in MOFAD setting up a Committee to review the operations of the Landing Beach Committees (LBCs) and other stakeholders and the subsequent engagement of a Team to undertake a comprehensive review of the entire chain of operations related to the allocation, transport, receipt and distribution of premix fuel from the national level to the final recipients in local communities.