A 3-member Interim Management Committee has been sworn in by the Energy Minister, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, to manage the activities of the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) as part of its restructuring and revamping efforts.
The move follows the dismissal of the managing director of the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR), Francis Boateng and his deputy Ato Morrison from the state refinery on Friday, June 11, 2021.
To enable the continuous operations of the affairs at the refinery, the Energy Minister swore in Mr. Nobert Cormla-Djamposu Anku as the chairman of the 3-member IMC with Mr. William Ntim Boadu and Mr. Okyere Baffuor Sarpong supporting him in this regard.
In an address after the swearing-in at the refinery,;the Minister noted that TOR and its crippling debts, infrastructural issues and equipment have been well note.
Dr. Prempeh also urged the staff of the refinery to put all past resentments behind;and cooperate with the IMC and work hard to ensure the success of the refinery.
Also in a media interaction at the program,;the Public Relations Officer of the Energy Ministry, Kwasi Obeng-Fosu said there was the need to find the right partnerships, managerial infrastructure and equipment to enable TOR work as a strategic stakeholder in the oil and gas sector. He urged the IMC members to be diligent in their work and bring their rich experience to bear in discharging their mandate.
The PRO also added that the committee is to submit its report,;including findings and recommendations, to the Energy Minister within three (3) months.
The just sworn in committee’s has been mandated to ensure the smooth transfer from the outgone Directors,;undertake technical and human resource audits as well as receiving and assessing viable partnerships for TOR.
TOR Manager and Deputy sacked
Former TOR manger, Francis Boateng and his deputy Ato Morrison,;who have been managing the affairs of the state-owned refinery since May 2020, were reportedly served with their dismissal letters last Friday 11 June 2021 by the Ministry of Energy.
Their dismissal is coming barely a month after reports suggesting the Ghana Water Company had cut water supply to the refinery over a GHC6 million debt.
President keen to see revitalization of TOR
The Minister for Energy, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, at the early stages of his office declared that President Akufo-Addo is keen to see the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) revitalized, create jobs and position itself as a market leader on the African continent.
The Minister, who is also the Member of Parliament for Manhyia South, made these remarks during a meeting with management and staff of the refinery in his first official visit to any energy sector agency since taking office as Minister.
Dr. Prempeh made known that the President did not the want Tema Oil Refinery sold on his watch. He averred that TOR is a strategic national asset, and as such, it was the duty of management to keep it healthy. He also said management’s activities must not lead to the loss of workers jobs.
Dr. Prempeh further revealed that his visit was in support of the refinery’s issues, and that at the end of the day, all stakeholders, including government, management and staff must come together and commit to making TOR a better and viable institution, adding that a collapse of the refinery would have clear, direct impact on the jobs and livelihoods of all staff at the refinery.
