Tension is brewing within the National Inland Canoe and Fishermen Council over the decision to dissolve the Jacob Ageke-led Council.
This paper can say on authority that, a meeting which was called on Thursday 6th May, 2021 to take a resolution in passing a Vote of No Confidence in their National Executives was marred as members traded blows at each other over the decision to dissolve the Council.
Information reaching New Crusading Guide indicates that, inland fishermen across the six regions have taken a decision to dissolve the Council for failing on their mandate.
According to documents available to this paper, throughout the five (5) years of their leadership, executives have not been able to procure fishing inputs for their members.
This, according to them is against Paragraph 2 of the Council’s promulgated Constitution (2002.)
Also, members have raised issues against their leaders over their participation in the removal of trees in the lake with a foreign company for monetary gains.
According to them, the trees have been submerged in the lake serving as a breeding ground and shelter for the fish which they catch for their livelihoods.
They have also pointed out that within the past five years, no annual general meeting have been held, which is a clear indication of the failure of their leaders.
According to the inland fishermen, the current leadership have allied the Council with the party of the day and actively engaging in party politics.
“Unfortunately for the current executives, the party they supported lost the 2016 general election. As a result, the incoming administration marginalized them, which made the inland fishermen not to officially handle the distribution of premix fuel, as well as not playing any significant role in the current administration to the detriment of the numerous inland fisher folks,” they stated.
They have also cited abuse of power by the current executives in the election of new District Chief Executive without prior holding of national congress.
They averred that the inland fishermen as a body have dissolved the current national executive committee and a new interim committee shall be reconstituted which will hold office for six months to prepare the association for new elections.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the fishermen at KpandoTorkor and a member of the Council of Elders of National Inland Canoe Fishermen Council, has expressed his full support for the action to dissolve the current executive council.
According to him, the infractions are too many and hence, it is in order to have the Council dissolve so as to chart a new path for the growth and development of their businesses.
