The Vice President and presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has proposed what he describes as a decisive solution to the longstanding challenges associated with premix fuel for fishermen.
During his campaign tour in the Central Region, specifically in Saltpond within the Mfantseman constituency, Dr. Bawumia stated that despite numerous efforts to resolve the premix fuel issue, including the installation of automated dispensing machines at various landing sites and fishing communities, these measures have not fully resolved the problem.
He has now introduced a new and innovative solution: the implementation of solar-powered outboard motors, which he believes will effectively and permanently resolve the issue.
When we came into the office, we brought premix automation. And in Mfantseman here and other places, we have premix automation machines. But when you look at the premix problems, we have not addressed them all. We still have problems with the premix so I have been thinking a lot and discussing how we are going to solve the problem permanently.
We need a permanent solution to this problem because every time we move, we don’t solve the problem permanently. So I have finished some discussions and by God’s grace, I believe we have a permanent solution to this problem,” Dr. Bawumia said, amidst loud cheers of endorsement.
I want us to move away from the dependence on premix fuel to solar power for the boats. Let’s go for solar power to power the boats. So, before the end of this year, we are going to pilot the solar power outboard motors.
With this, we will make the outboard motors available to the fishermen, and they won’t need to buy premix anymore. Once the sun is shining, their batteries will be charging, and they can go across.
The operation of the solar-powered outboard motors is expected to commence next month, as indicated by Dr. Bawumia, who emphasized the importance of demonstrating their functionality to the fishing community.
Regarding the premix fuel, Dr. Bawumia further noted that with the introduction of the solar-powered outboard motors, fisherfolks will no longer require premix fuel for their outboard motor operations.
We will have meetings with the fishermen on this in the next few weeks and the pilot programme will take place next month and we will start a whole new regime for fisherfolks because there is too much ‘kululu’ (fraud) in the premix matter.
We will take them out of the way, and we will give the fisherfolk outboard motors powered by solar, and then we will solve the problem.
