By Emmanuel Gamson
New Takoradi (W/R), Dec. 17, GNA – The National Premix Fuel Secretariat has organised an accountability series for the various Landing Beach Committees (LBCs) to render accounts for the management and distribution of premix fuel in their areas.
The engagement, dubbed: “LBC Accountability to the Community”, was held for both past and current LBCs across all the landing beaches in the Western Region, and sought to deepen regulatory compliance and improve upon financial transparency.
Mr Ebow Mensah, Administrator, National Premix Fuel Secretariat, speaking at New Takoradi Landing Beach, said the accountability series was in line with the Secretariat’s mandate under Legislative Instrument (LI) 2233 to ensure prudent and transparent management of premix fuel by the LBCs.
He said this was vital in ensuring accountability for the use of the 53 per cent of profits accrued from the sale of premix fuel towards the Community Development Fund.
He said: “Per the law, every landing beach committee is supposed to open a bank account and deposit 53 per cent of profits accrued from the sale of premix fuel on behalf of the community they represent in receiving and selling premix fuel.”
Mr Mensah stated that the funds were meant to support the communities to undertake critical development projects to help improve upon the living standards of the people.
He said the Community Development Fund played a critical role in the development of fishing communities, noting that accountability was the only way to achieve the purpose for which it was established.
He said: “The law mandates us to do this on quarterly basis, so that we can reinforce regulatory compliance, improve financial transparency, and deepen stakeholder understanding of statutory responsibilities of LBCs.”
Mr Emmanuel Amponsah, Secretary for the New Takoradi Landing Beach Committee, said the committee had received 11 consignments of premix fuel for this year, and that they had accrued a total of GHC59,205 as the 53 per cent profit towards the Community Development Fund.
He gave the assurance that they would ensure transparent management of the fund to help bring development to the New Takoradi community.
Meanwhile, the previous LBC members who served from 2017 to 2024 at New Takoradi failed to show up to account for their stewardship within that period.
GNA
Edited by Justina Paaga /Kenneth Odeng Adade