The Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Emelia Arthur, has cautioned Landing Beach Committees (LBCs) against overpricing, hoarding or diverting premix fuel for private gain.
She warned that the Ministry and the National Premix Fuel Secretariat would sanction committees that breach approved pricing and distribution guidelines.
“Every Landing Beach Committee must sell premix fuel at the approved price. The Ministry will not countenance any attempt to exploit fishers by increasing the price, hoarding the product or diverting it for resale,” Ms Arthur warned.
Under the new pricing structure, premix fuel will be sold at GH¢5.51 per litre, equivalent to GH¢24.80 per gallon.
An 80-gallon allocation will cost GH¢1,984, while 70 gallons will be sold for GH¢1,736. Fifty gallons will cost GH¢1,240, with a yellow gallon priced at GH¢174.
Ms Arthur directed LBC executives to prominently display the approved prices at all landing beaches to ensure fishers are aware of the official rates.
“No fisherman or fish processor should be made to pay one pesewa above the approved price. These prices must be displayed clearly at every landing beach. Any committee that violates this directive will be dealt with,” she opined.
The Administrator of the National Premix Fuel Secretariat, Ebow Mensah, also warned LBCs against creating artificial shortages by withholding premix fuel or selling it to middlemen.
“Premix fuel is subsidised by the state to support fishing communities. It is not a commodity for committee members or individuals to hoard and resell at higher prices,” Mr Mensah said.
Prices to be publicised nationwide
Mr Mensah said the approved prices would be announced on radio stations and through community information centres nationwide.
He added that the price schedule would also be widely circulated on social media to ensure fishers and the public are well informed.
“We are taking the approved prices directly to the people. They will be announced on radio, broadcast through community information centres and shared widely on social media. No LBC can therefore claim that it was unaware of the approved prices,” he stated.
He added that any future changes to the price of premix fuel would be formally communicated to fishers and other industry stakeholders through the approved channels.
“Whenever there is a new price, the Ministry and the Secretariat will communicate it clearly for the information of fishers and all industry players. Until such an announcement is made, LBCs must continue to sell at the existing approved price,” he said.
Monitoring and sanctions
Mr Mensah said the nationwide public education campaign would help fishers identify and report LBCs charging unauthorised prices.
He added that the Secretariat would intensify monitoring at landing beaches and investigate complaints of overpricing, diversion and unauthorised resale.
“We will follow the distribution of the product from the oil marketing company to the landing beach. Any LBC found selling above the approved price, diverting supplies or conniving with middlemen will face sanctions,” he warned.
The Secretariat urged chief fishermen, canoe owners, fishers and the public to report LBCs that violate the approved price schedule.
Ms Arthur said the government would protect the premix fuel subsidy from abuse and ensure the product reaches the fishing communities for which it is intended.
“The era when a few people took advantage of premix fuel at the expense of fishing communities must end. Public officials and committee members entrusted with the product must account for every consignment,” she said.