The Member of Parliament for Krachi East, Hon Wisdom Gidisu has called on the government through the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development to address the problem of irregular supply of Premix Fuel to fisher folks in the area.
According to him, continuing the lopsided supply of premix fuel is hampering the work of fishermen who relied on the industry for survival.
He said the Premix Fuel has been in short supply since the beginning of the year, adding that anytime the consignment arrives, there is a mad rush for it.
The MP also appealed to the Minister for Fisheries to consider providing outboard motors at subsidies prices to fisher folks in the Constituency.
Hon Gidisu disclosed this when he dragged the Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture to parliament over the thereby influencing hoarding.
“Mr. Speaker, I rise to ask the Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development what steps the Ministry is taking to ensure that regular supply of premix fuel to fisherfolk in the Krachi East Constituency to avoid long queues at the selling points.”
“Mr. Speaker, I rise to ask the Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development what steps the Ministry is taking to supply fishing nets and outboard motors to fisher folks in the Krachi East Constituency at subsidies prices,? Hon Gidisu added.
In response, the sector Minister, Hon Mavies Hawa Koomson, said the Landing Beach Committee at the Krachi East serves several adjoining communities from where fishermen access premix fuel for their operations.
“Mr. Speaker, it is therefore observed that the rush for the product by fishermen especially on market days results in long queues, which may not be due to shortage,” she said.
She however assured that the Ministry is working with the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) to ensure that available quantities of the premix fuel are equitably distributed to landing beaches to mitigate the impact of the shortage experienced.
On the issue of fishing nets and outboard motors, Hon Hawa said fishermen in Krachi East will benefit from fishing nets under the fishing Input Support Scheme to provide access to authorised input for sustainable fisheries.
She added that fishers in the area who have applied have received 20 units of 40hp outboard motors through the Member of Parliament in 2020.
But Hon Gidisu told EXPRESSNEWSGHANA, that the absence of the fishing net and outboard motors has worsened the plight of artisanal fishers, who were already going through difficult times due to the non-availability of the fishing net and the outboard motors.
He noted that “the inadequate supply coupled with the high level of politicization of the sale has been the source of all the problems that local fishers encountered with the acquisition and use of pre-mix fuel, fishing nets and the outboard motors.”
The MP, however, added that the fundamental problem of inadequate and erratic supply and the high level of politicization must be addressed to allow the automation system to function to the fullest.
The Fisher folks, he said are ready to procure the nets and the outboard motors at high purchase despite the fact that, “in the current state of fisheries where fishers make very little or no catch” after several fishing expeditions.
He further appealed to the government and all stakeholders to find a lasting solution to the problems associated with the distribution and sale of premix fuel as well as the supply of nets and outboard motors at subsidies prices.
Source: expressnewsghana.com
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