Fisheries Minister Inaugurates 11-Member National Premix Fuel Committee…Urges Them to be Transparent

The Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Hon. Emilia Arthur has Inaugurated an eleven (11) member National Premix Fuel Committee to oversee the seamless administration and operation of national premix fuel.

Speaking at the Inauguration ceremony held in Accra on Thursday, the Minister charged the Committee to eliminate the abuse and corruption associated with the premix fuel distribution

Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Hon. Emilia Arthur administering the oath of office for the members

She said good governance and transparency within the premix fuel management space is key in realizing the objective of the President’s vision of resetting.

The National Premix Fuel Committee is established in accordance with the National Premix Fuel Committee Regulations, 2016 (L.I 2233), with the mandate to facilitate the procurement and distribution of premix fuel to the fishing communities in the Republic.

Hon. Arthur said, the Committee will play a pivotal role in ensuring that premix fuel resources are equitably distributed and managed in accordance with the law, while supporting the livelihoods of artisanal fishers and fostering coastal community development.

According to her, Government remains committed to enforcing existing regulations that mandates every landing beach to have a dedicated Committee overseeing premix fuel distribution. She emphasized that this system would be strictly adhered to, ensuring transparency and curbing unfair practices.

‘The Government is committed to ensuring accountability for the distribution of the proceeds of the margins from the sale of premix fuel in accordance with section 27 of L.I. 2233. Regulation 27(1) mandates all Landing Beach Committees to distribute the proceeds of the margins from the sale of premix as follows:
i. 53% to the fishing community
ii. 12% to the office of the Chief Fisherman or the Headman
iii. 18% to other members of the Committee
iv. 10% to the secretary and
v. 7% to the Pump Attendant
The Hon Minister emphasized that percentage (53%) earmarked for the community must be used to support development projects/initiatives that benefit the entire community and urged the National Premix Fuel Committee to ensure the use of these funds for their intended purposes”, Hon Arthur revealed.

This she said underscores the Government’s commitment to leveraging community-based resources for sustainable development.

The Minister further urged the Committee to audit how the community funds (53%) have been utilized over the past years to ensure equity, accountability and transparency.

With respect to the state and conditions of the Landing Beaches, the Hon. Minister indicated that the Ministry will continue to leverage technology to automate and enforce a tracking regime for premix fuel distribution to ensure transparency and efficiency.

The Minister therefore urged all stakeholders to ensure the selection and composition of the LBCs is in accordance with the law and that the right people are chosen to represent them at the local level to ensure efficient use of the margins accrued from the sale of premix fuel at the local level.

Premix fuel remains an essential commodity for the artisanal fishing sector, which supports the livelihoods of thousands of coastal and inland fishing communities.

The Ministry reaffirms its dedication to ensuring its effective distribution and availability to promote sustainable fisheries management and bolster the socio-economic well-being of fishing communities nationwide.

On his part, the Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Rocksom Nelson Etse Dafeamekpor expressed gratitude to the President for the honour done them and assured him and the Minister of a very proactive Committee committed to ensuring that pre-mix related corruption become a thing of the past.

The Majority Chief Whip and MP for South Dayi added that equitable and transparent distribution of the premix fuel to those who need it most will be their priority.

Below is the List of Members of the Board:

1. Rockson-Nelson Etse Kwami Defeamekpor Chairperson, Ministers, Nominee
2. Ekow Ebow Mensah Secretary, Premix Administrator
3. Ms Marian W.A. Kpakpah Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture
4. Mr. Stephen Langmatey Nadu Ministry of Energy and Green Transition
5. Rosina Williams Fisheries Commission
6. Mamaga Delight Esi Ametepe National Inland and Canoe Fishermen Council
7. Richard Kofi Dadzie Ghana National Canoe Fishermen Council
8. Jacob Kabore Tetteh Ageke National Fisheries Association of Ghana
9. Dr. Riverson Oppong Industry Coordinator of The Association of Oil Marketing Companies
10. James Essoun Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Representative
11. Julius Annang Ashitey Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Representative
12. Josephine Yankson Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Representative

Source: senaradioonline.com