Reduce prices of premix fuel, or we will park all boats – Fishermen tell govt

The Boat Owners, Fishermen and Fishmongers Association has given the government a 14-day ultimatum to reduce the price of premix fuel.

According to the members along the Volta Lake, the exorbitant price of the fuel is gradually sinking their businesses.

They also stated that premix fuel has become scarce in the area in addition to the high prices.

“It has become so bad that sometimes we get the product to buy once every month or once in two months. Though difficult, we have tried to cope since we have no option,” the association said.

The statement added that due to the lack and the exorbitant price of the premix fuel, boats could not speed on the river, causing danger to the lives of fishermen.

“Just last week, a boat carrying about 50 passengers and goods ran out of fuel in the middle of the journey, and as a result, another boat had to go and supply them with fuel to enable them to continue with their journey.

“By all these, we are appealing to the government to do something immediately about this albatross premix issue. Failure or refusal to come to our aid within 14 days from today, we have no option than to park all our boats along the Volta Lake,” they stressed.

The group also alleged that a few people have hoarded the fuel and are selling it at exorbitant prices on the black market.

This comes after the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development (MoFAD) disclosed that some 20 completed automated premix outlets will be opened by December 2023 in different locations nationwide.

According to the sector minister, Mavis Hawa Koomson, the move seeks to streamline discrepancies in the premix fuel distribution chain, which will curb issues of middlemen, hoarding and corruption.

Meanwhile, data from the Environment for Development (EfD) – a global network for environmental research – indicates that the cost of premix fuel is reduced by 70 per cent for fishermen through subsidies.