‘NDC selling premix fuel’

Some fisherman of Lower Axim in the Western Region have asserted that some leading members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) appointed onto the premix committee in the area are creating artificial shortages of the product in the coastal town.

They alleged that there had been some underhand dealings by the NDC activists serving on the area’s premix landing beach committees.

The fishermen explained that the alleged NDC activists serving on the committees normally bought the product, which was sold at GH¢375.00 per drum, in large quantities, thereby creating an artificial shortage, and later sold the premix to the fishermen at GH¢500.00 per drum.

The situation, they indicated, had adversely affected their businesses, adding, “We are even more worried because, in the past four months, which was the season for a good catch, we have experienced irregular supply of premix in Axim.”

They have, therefore, called on the government to institute a full-scale enquiry into allegations of corruption in the distribution of premix fuel in the area and punish those who would be found to be corrupt in its distribution.

Speaking to DAILY GUIDE on behalf of the fishermen, Papa Akroma, a fisherman in the area, bemoaned the fact that apart from the intermittent shortage of pre-mix fuel in the area, the products were sold to fishermen perceived to be loyal to the NDC.

“But I believe premix is not for the NDC committee members or NDC fishermen at the landing beaches alone, but for all Ghanaian fishermen,” he lamented.

He lashed out at the Mahama-led NDC government for the periodic shortage of premix fuel, despite its promise to make the commodity available to them at all times.

On his part, Nana Kojo Eshun, Chief Fisherman of Lower Axim, who corroborated the story insisted that the NDC members on the premix committee in the area are only trying to collapse their businesses.

He, however, indicated that the situation in Apewosika, a suburb of Axim, was better as compared to the one happening in Axim Lower Town, and alleged that many jobs had been lost due to the shortage of premix.

On whether he was aware of the alleged attempt by the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) and other oil exploration companies to start exploration activities with 3D seismic survey in the East Cape Three Points (ECTP) block offshore Ghana, the chief fisherman answered in the negative.

It would be recalled that some fishermen recently expressed disgust about a seismic survey that would be done in about 70 days, starting August 25 to November 5, 2014 on the East Cape Three Points block which starts from the sea at Komenda to Axim.

During the period, it has been alleged that the fishermen would be restricted from plying their trade at where the survey would take place.

DAILY GUIDE’s visit to the area revealed that most of the fishermen and outboard motor operators who were frustrated over the intermittent shortage of their fuel were not even aware of the move by the GNPC.

They, however, appealed to the government to fulfil its campaign promise of making life comfortable for the fishermen.