Assemblyman Drags Keta MCE To EOCO Over Premix Fuel Diversions

The Assemblyman for the Dziehe-Ablame Electoral Area of Anlo Afiadenyigba in the Keta Municipality, Hon. Gilbert Korbla Keklie has petitioned the Economic and Organized Crimes Office (EOCO) to investigate the Municipal Chief Executive for Keta over the diversion of premix fuel in the Municipality.

In the petition dated May 10, 2022, the MCE Mr. Emmanuel Gemegah, is named as the chief suspect behind the diversions on account of revelations by persons who allegedly used to be his accomplices.

Mr. Gemegah was confirmed as MCE on October 7, 2021, and by February 2022, Mr. Gemegah had formed a total of nine Landing Beach Committees in the Keta Municipality and appointed himself as Coordinator, the petition said.

According to the petition, under the leadership of Mr. Gemegah as Coordinator of the Landing Beach Committees, the Keta Municipality has witnessed increased hoarding, overpricing and diversion of premix fuel.

On April 26, 2022, a truck loaded with premix fuel meant for fishers at Nukpesekope Landing Beach Committee in the Keta Municipality was intercepted and impounded at Afife as it was being smuggled back to Accra.

The Secretary to the Nukpesekope Landing Beach Committee who is also the Special Aide to the MCE, Jeoffrey James Ocloo, along with the driver of the vehicle were arrested by the Keta Police and later granted bail.

Following this, the Fisheries Minister, Mavis Hawa Koomson, drove down to supervise the sale of the premix fuel impounded at a price of Ghc52.50 per gallon rather than between Ghc65 and Ghc150 that the same gallon is usually sold, the petition said.