The Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Emelia Arthur, has warned Landing Beach Committees (LBCs) against selling premix fuel above the approved prices, hoarding the product or diverting it for private gain.

She said the Ministry and the National Premix Fuel Secretariat would sanction committees that violated the approved pricing and distribution arrangements.

“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 price schedule, premix fuel is to be sold at GH¢5.51 per litre, equivalent to GH¢24.80 per gallon.

Accordingly, 80 gallons will cost GH¢1,984, while 70 gallons will sell for GH¢1,736. The approved price for 50 gallons is GH¢1,240, while a yellow gallon will cost GH¢174.

Ms Arthur directed LBC executives to prominently display the approved prices at all landing beaches to ensure fishers know how much they are required to pay.

“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 stated.

The Administrator of the National Premix Fuel Secretariat, Ebow Mensah, also cautioned LBCs against creating artificial shortages by withholding supplies or selling the product 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 across the country.

He said the price schedule would also be widely shared on social media to ensure fishers and members of the public were adequately 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 adjustment 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 also enable fishers to identify and report LBCs that imposed unauthorised charges.

He said the Secretariat would strengthen monitoring at landing beaches and investigate complaints involving 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 members of the public to report LBCs that breach the approved price schedule.

Ms Arthur said the government would protect the premix fuel subsidy from abuse and ensure the product reached the fishing communities for which it was 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.