Premix Fuel Shortage

Fishermen in the nation�s capital and some other parts of the country especially, the Central Region where fishing is dominant, have been hit by a shortage of premix fuel for the past 4 months. As usual, Peace FM�s reporters at many of the regions indicate that the problem is widespread. Reporting from Moree in the Central Region, our man Kwabena, described the incident as pathetic. According to him (reporter), the fishermen have taken to the streets demonstrating against the government for the premix-shortage situation to be looked at or that they would continue to demonstrate till they (fishermen) are satisfied that the problem has been resolved. The story was not any different at Sekondi/Takoradi in the Western Region. Reports we received from the region by Okatakyei, a leader of the fishermen, disclosed that they have also been hit by premix fuel shortage for the past four months, and described the situation as �hell�. A report filed by our reporter, Akwasi Agyeman at James Town, a suburb of Accra, indicated that the fishermen form long queues to buy fuel, but some leave disappointed, with no premix to buy. According to his report, this is the season for a good catch and a good source of income, so if nothing is done immediately, they might not even get money to pay their children�s fees. Speaking on the �Kokrokoo� show, the spokesperson for the Tema Oil Refinery, (TOR) Mrs. Aba Lokko, blamed the shortage partly on the fact that TOR had been engaged in refinery maintenance for 6 months. She also explained that they fill only tankers listed by the fishermen�s own Association. She however admitted that TOR used to supply about 1000 to 1200 metric tonnes a week, but now they supply about 1000 metric tonnes a month. According to her, TOR supplied seven trucks to Central Region, four to Accra and eight to the Western Region. Nana Solomon who is a leader of the Central Regional Canoe Owners Association disclosed that fishermen in the Central were planning to go on demonstration if there is no change. He said the President�s agenda for fishermen is not what they are seeing now. The good news from Madam Aba Lokko, however, is that the TOR was likely to resume operation in about a fortnight.