Primary Fuels Committee Saves Nation GHC36m – Minister of Fisheries

Company News of Wednesday, April 17, 2019

Source: Graphic.com.gh

2019-04-17

Prudent measures taken by the National Premix Fuels Committee to control the diversion of the product allowed the country to save 36 million GH ¢ between 2017 and 2018.

During this period, the premixed fuel for fishermen was reduced by 20.62%.

Ms. Elizabeth Afoley Quaye, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development (MoFAD), who reported it yesterday in Accra, said that 72,738,000 liters of premix had been transported from the refinery Tema oil at various landing beaches in 2018, compared to 91,738,000 liters recorded in 2017.

The minister gave an overview of the department's activities when she took her turn at the "meeting with the press" series.

Precautionary measures

Ms. Quaye said that one of the measures adopted by the commission was a nationwide audit of landing beaches in fishing communities, which guaranteed the closure of those that did not meet acceptable standards.

Giving details of this exercise, she said that 187 non-compliant landing beaches had been closed, reducing their number from 293 to 106.

In addition, the 126 landing beaches along Volta Lake in the Volta region have been reduced to 51, while those in the former Brong Ahafo region have also been reduced from 38 to 10.

The eastern and northern regions also experienced a reduction in landing beaches from 77 to 31 and 52 to 14, respectively.

Ms. Quaye added that the National Premix Secretariat had installed follow-up software at the secretariat that effectively monitored the movement of TOR fuel tankers to intended destinations.

"These measures have resulted in a zero incidence of diversion of premixes since November 2017, while landing beaches across the country have experienced an improved and consistent supply of premixes based on actual demand, with the help of various regional coordination councils for premixed fuel, "she said. .

She added that the managers of all landing beaches across the country had been introduced to good record keeping.

"The National Premix Secretariat can proudly confirm that due to the careful management of the premix at the national level, more than 7 million GH ¢ have been accumulated in various Beaches Committee accounts by the end of 2018.

"Projects such as marketplaces with stores, drainage systems, sanitary facilities, community-based health planning services (CHIPS) complexes and youth hostels are at various stages of construction in Canada. regarding the use of the community development fund to 53%, "she announced.

Fishing industry

Regarding measures to reorganize the fisheries sector, the minister said the $ 50 million grant from China for the construction of the Jamestown fishing port complex had been used wisely.

She stated that the necessary preparatory work, including drafting and surveying, had been completed and that an intersectoral site construction committee had been established to oversee the project.

"It is expected that the actual construction will start in July 2019," she said.

Quaye said MoFAD has provided more extension services and technology solutions, resulting in an increase in production from 52,471 tonnes in 2016 to 76,620 tonnes in 2018.

"To support the government's employment agenda, the Ministry of Finance and Agriculture has launched a flagship program called Aquaculture for Food and Employment (AFJ), which complements the program" Plant for Food and Employment "of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture.

"At full throttle, the program is expected to create 80,000 additional direct and indirect jobs along the aquaculture value chain and provide an additional 50,000 tonnes of fish over a three-year period for the country," he said. she added.

Deputy Minister of MoFAD Francis Kingsley Ago Cudjoe; Deputy Minister of Information, Mr. Pius Enam Hadzide, and other officials from both ministries were present at the event.