Monday, June 16, 2008

MINISTRY SUPPORTS INSHORE BOAT OWNERS (PAGE 47)

THE Ministry of Fisheries has presented fishing nets and fuel valued at GH¢240,000 to members of the Inshore Boat Owners Association at Tema to assist them in their vocation.
The package is a credit facility to be shared among more than 15,000 members of the association who own 400 vessels operating at landing beaches at Tema, Elmina, Mumford and Sekondi–Takoradi.
The officer in charge of projects at the ministry, Mr David Aidoo, who presented the nets on behalf of the ministear to the association, said it was the intention of the government to revive the fishing industry by ensuring that they had inputs at subsidised costs.
He said fishermen in some communities along the Volta Lake and those on the coastal line from Aflao to Half Assini were recently assisted to purchase 600 outboard motors costing GH¢1.4 million, which was provided through some rural banks on credit basis.
He advised the fishermen to repay the money promptly to enable the government to expand the facility to cover other fishermen.
Mr Aidoo disclosed that there were plans to introduce another package to enable the government to supply them with 50 out-board motors for wooden fishing boats.
The President of the Inshore Boat Owners Association, Mr Joseph Nii Armah–Quaye, received the nets on behalf of members of the association and expressed their appreciation to the government for responding to their request for assistance.
He said the gesture was the first to come to the association from the government and expressed the hope that the government would continue to assist the local fishermen.
He disclosed that out of the 125 ,000 litres of fuel that had been allocated to them, members had already lifted the first consignment of 54,000 litres.
Mr Armah-Quaye gave the assurance that the association would ensure that no fisherman diverted the fuel for sale on the open market.

No comments: