Elmina IMC wants investigations on chief fisherman publicized

Elmina, Sept. 10, GNA - The Interim Management Committee on pre-mix fuel at Elmina, has expressed worry over government's delay to make public, the report on the embezzlement of GH¢35,000 being profits from the sale of fuel.

It said it had been two and a half years since the allegation was levelled against, Mr. Apofohen Jojo Solomon, a chief fisherman and was suspended by the Municipal Chief Executive, Mr Frank Asmah in 2006. The IMC formed with the sector Minister, Mrs. Gladys Asmah promising that she would cause an auditing of records on the sale of the fuel and a report released within two weeks.

Addressing a press conference at Elmina, in reaction to threats issued by a section of fishermen in the township last week, that they would cause mayhem, if the IMC was not dissolved, Mr. Joseph Asmah, secretary to the IMC, explained that the Minister had since then, failed to release the report into the investigations.

He claimed that rather, she had directed the oil marketing companies to supply Apofohen Solomon pre-mix fuel in his own name, without going through the Central Regional co-ordinating committee on pre-mix, as regulations stipulate.

Mr. Asmah also claimed that this directive had been given, in spite of a directive from the Chief of Staff and Minister of Presidential Affairs, Mr. Kwadwo Mpiani, asking Mrs. Asmah to investigate the chief fisherman, since no report into the investigations had been released by her office.

He said the IMC had however, complied with another directive from Mr. Mpiani that the Apofohen should be paid half of his allotted commission, with effect from last June, pending the investigations into the allegations against him.

He said the IMC had been compelled to remain in office due to the situation and refuted allegations by the fishermen that the IMC had never rendered account of its stewardship. Mr Asmah said it had, among others, awarded scholarships to children of some fishermen, in addition to the provision of books and other stationery, and donated 50 bags of cement towards the construction of the Omanhene's palace.

He said Mrs. Asmah should be blamed if any trouble arose as a result of the present situation in the pre-mix sector at Elmina.