TOR Revival Could Cut Fuel Prices and Reduce Imports

The Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) is showing signs of a major turnaround after years of operational difficulties, with renewed refining activities expected to help reduce Ghana’s dependence on imported petroleum products.

According to Emmanuel Duah’s remarks captured during an assessment of the refinery’s progress at Kessben Maakye show in Accra, he insisted, TOR previously faced severe operational challenges, at one point functioning largely as a tank farm after its refining operations became inactive.

The situation, he claimed however, is said to be changing, with the refinery now returning to refining activities.
The development follows President John Dramani Mahama’s challenge to TOR to increase production to about one million barrels per month, a target expected to strengthen local fuel production and potentially reduce the cost of imported petroleum products.
“If we are able to produce one million barrels every month, fuel prices would go down locally and reduce imports,” he indicated.

In addition he said, the revival is also being viewed as a significant boost to confidence among workers and stakeholders at TOR, following years of uncertainty over the refinery’s future.

He further praised the Managing Director of TOR, Edmond Kombat describing his leadership as people-oriented and crediting him for helping to steer the refinery through some of its most difficult periods.

Consequently he admonished the government to provide the refinery with the necessary financial and technical support to sustain the ongoing renewal process.

The call is aimed at ensuring that TOR does not only resume operations but develops into a strong and sustainable domestic refining facility capable of meeting a significant portion of Ghana’s fuel needs.

He also commended young professionals appointed to key positions across various sectors by the President John Dramani Mahama particularly the energy sector, for what was described as their significant contribution to Ghana’s development.

He reincarnated that, with sustained investment and support, stakeholders believe the revival of TOR could help strengthen energy security, reduce petroleum imports and create wider economic benefits for the country, Duah noted.

By Maurice Otoo