A total of eighty-two pre mix fuel diversion cases were recorded in October 2017 nationwide per statistics from a document sighted by Today.
Today gathered that in October 2017 premix fuel consignments loaded from the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR), were not delivered at the intended destinations indicated on the invoices and Returns of the Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs).
In all instances, although the pre-mix fuel product was documented to be bound for the Volta, Brong Ahafo, Greater Accra, Western, Eastern, Northern Regions, they ended up in different destinations , according to information obtained by the National Patrouleum Authority’s (NPA) BRV Tracking System and Returns.
This alleged corrupt practice by some high profile personalities in the country, Today understands comes at the time when the country’s fishing industry is on the brink of collapse due to numerous challenges including the lack premix fuel and the high cost of the product.
In July 2017, fisher-folk experienced a massive shortage of pre-mix fuel as the fishing season reached its peak.
This affected the country’s fish supply, allowing excess importation of fish and fish products from other countries.
Speaking in an interview with Today in Accra yesterday, Chairman of the National Inland Canoe Fishermen Council (NICFC), Mr. Jacob Tetteh Ageke, called on government stop to the National Premix Committee from supplying premix fuel to Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) and transporters.
He accused the Committee of diverting over three million litres of the product between January and October 2017.
Story: Freeman KORYEKPOR AWLESU
Writer’s email: freeman.koryekpor@todaygh.com