There appears to be a strong disagreement between the Ministry of Energy and the Institute for Energy Security (IES) over the current state of the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR).
IES in a petition to the President to help salvage what is left of TOR and a subsequent press statement contended that the Minister for Energy under the leadership of Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh “has failed to provide the necessary leadership aimed at finding a strategic partner towards the revamping of the refinery” among other leadership shortfalls.
In the view of the Institute, the Tema Oil Refinery faces imminent collapse due to the lack of commitment of the Minister for Energy to ensure the needed renovation and refurbishment of the facility.
But the Ministry in reaction to the position of IES through a statement has indicated that it finds the views of the institute clearly out of place and therefore holds strong views in opposition to the views expressed.
According to the Ministry, Dr. Opoku Prempeh has demonstrated clear leadership, vision and focus in working towards revamping TOR and that the claims made by IES are borne either out of ignorance or a deliberate attempt to tarnish the Minister’s image.
In a nine-point statement, the Ministry outlined the actions taken by Dr. Opoku-Prempeh in his effort to revamp TOR since he came into office.
On the basis of the effort of the Minister, the Ministry opined that “one would expect that the IES would be circumspect in its public pronouncements on issues in the energy sector and at least seek information and facts before going public. This is in view of the weight that is likely to be accorded its position.”
“The Ministry wishes to assure Ghanaians that Dr. Prempeh is resolutely committed to ensuring that TOR is put on a sound footing to support Ghana’s industrialization drive, and will continue to provide strategic leadership and direction in this regard,” the statement concluded.
Find below the full statement of the Ministry of Energy in response to the Institute for Energy Security.
Source : Abcnewsghana