Fisheries Minister is a practical minister – South Dayi MP

MP for South Dayi Rockson Nelson Deafeamekpor has commended Mrs. Hawa Koomson Fisheries Minister for moving in swiftly to resolve the premix fuel crisis in his constituency, leading to regular supply of the product.
 
He mentioned this in parliament when the minister took her turn to answer questions bordering on the performance her ministry on the floor of the house.
“We had premix issues recently; her intervention has encouraged the regular supply of premix in my area. She is a practical minister.”  “We need more for my people at Agordake and Dzemeni.” Mr. Deafeamekpor said.  
His question to the minister was about steps taken to establish fish farming in Tongor Tsanakpe, to which the minster responded that “Aquaculture for food and jobs programs under which educational and security institutions, distressed fish farmers and youth groups are supported to establish fish farms.” She advised that interested youth groups and individuals should contact regional fisheries offices to apply for the opportunity. She furthered that “on approval, officers will conduct an inspection of the proposed site to determine the appropriated holding facility.”
 
 
She also told the house that fishing inputs support such as fingerlings, fish feed and extension officers would be given to farmers.

Landing beaches to get automated premix fuels dispensing units

Hon. Hawa Koomson, Minster for Fisheries
Landing beaches across the country will soon have automated premix fuels dispensing units installed for them.
 
This, according to the Fisheries Minister Mrs. Mavis Hawa Koomson will weed out smugglers and hoarding activities as well as enhance fishers’ access to the fuel.
It will enhance service delivery and safety as only fishers with smart cards will be served at the automated pumps.
The minister was addressing a question by the MP for Upper Manya Krobo Bismark Tetteh Nyarko on measures to enhance fishing activities at Akateng and other fishing communities in his constituency. He asked that the selling points be increased from 5 to the original 11 as at 2018. The reduction of selling points, according to the MP, is a contributory factor to the smuggling and shortage of the product.
She however said “as we speak now, we don’t even know the number of fishers who draw this fuel. That is why we are working on automation to give us the information. So when we realize that the 5 delivering points are not enough, the ministry and the agency will not hesitate to increase the numbers.”

I’m aware non-fisher folks stock-up premix fuel and re-sell at 400% – Fisheries Minister

The Minister for Fisheries and Aqua Culture Development Mrs Mavis Hawa Koomson has confirmed she is aware of the irregularities surrounding the distribution of premix fuel in the fishing communities across the country.
The minister was responding to questions related to her ministry in parliament yesterday.

 

 

MP for Krachi East Wisdom Gidisu, asked if the minister knew that people whose work is not fishing related are the ones who buy premix products, stocked and resell at 400% to the actual fishermen.

 

 

Mr Gidisu said “they buy at the regular price of GHC60 and resell at GHC200 or GHC250.
The Krachi East MP requested to know the measures put in place to curb such illegalities and also ensure the regular supply of premix to fisher folks along the Krachi Nchumuru, Krachi West, Krachi East and other fishing communities along the Volta Lake.

 

 

“Yes I am aware and government is making everything possible to stop it” was the minister’s response.
Mrs Mavis Hawa Koomson said her ministry is in talks with stakeholders including TOR and that the MPs concerns would be resolved “very soon.”
 “I believe very soon we will come to a conclusion and the product will be available for every fisherman to do his or her fishing activities.”
 
According to news reports, premix fuel has been in short supply since the beginning of the year.