After nearly eight years of inactivity, the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) is preparing to resume crude oil refining operations by the end of October 2025, according to the company’s Corporate Affairs Officer, Godwin Mahama.
Speaking on the Yɛn Nsempa Morning Show on Onua FM, Godwin Mahama revealed that TOR had been largely redundant for close to a decade, with its core refining function halted.
During this period, the refinery survived by renting out its tank farms to Bulk Distribution Companies (BDCs) for fuel storage.
Tema Oil Refinery to resume operations in October – MD
“For about six to eight years, the refinery has been redundant. Its main function of refining crude was non-existent. We survived by renting out our tank farms to BDCs. That is what has kept TOR alive till now,” he explained.
He noted that the refinery’s new management made it a priority to restore TOR to its original purpose through a Turnaround Maintenance Project, which is now 98% complete.
“The company will return to its core mandate by the end of this month. TOR will start refining crude oil locally. We have carried out turnaround maintenance to put all the equipment back into shape,” he said.
Godwin Mahama added that management had formed a committee to oversee the process and hired temporary technical staff who have worked tirelessly over the past three months.
Meanwhile, a staff durbar held last week at TOR confirmed that the maintenance committee will hand over the plant to the production unit by Friday, after which refining operations will commence.
He credited Managing Director Edmund Combat and President John Mahama for their leadership, noting that the refinery’s revival will create jobs and reduce Ghana’s dependence on imported petroleum products.
“If TOR can meet about 60% of local demand, we’ll save foreign currency, strengthen the cedi, and support economic stabilization efforts,” he concluded.
FKA/MA
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