A former deputy Minister of Power John Abdulai Jinapor has described as needless, the debate on the plan by the Energy Ministry to turn the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) into a tank farm.
Energy Minister Boakye Agyarko is reported have announced the Ministry’s plan to scrap TOR and build a new refinery with a capacity of 150,000 bbls; a decision that has faced stiff opposition from TOR and other stakeholders.
Speaking to TV3 on the matter Tuesday, Mr. Jinapor argued it will be misplaced for anyone to conceive the idea of a new refinery whereas the already established TOR is there.
“It is misplaced to begin to talk of a second refinery when you have an existing refinery which you can put in a good shape. I think that we should concentrate in ensuring that we bring TOR in good shape” and ensure that there is managerial efficiency, he said.
He said TOR has over the years served the nation well, stating it is a critical element in the value chain of this whole petrochemical industry that ought to be given the necessary investment to bounce back.
With the capacity to produce 50,000 barrels of crude oil daily, which is more than half the nation’s demand, Mr. Jinapor said Ghana cannot continue to import refined products.
“When you take the crude oil and refine it here you create jobs, save foreign exchange and [get] by-products that can be used for so many things” he observed.
“I think that it will be misplaced for the Minister to suggest that TOR will not operate and rather think of putting up a new refinery. If there is any investment that out to be made, it ought to be made in TOR,” he advised.
He said TOR had always been a tank farm.
By Evelyn Tengmaa|TV3|3news.com|Ghana