It is time to resource TOR to refine our oil – NPP’s George Ayisi tells Gov’t

A member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP)’s Communication team, Mr George Ayisi has called on government to resource the Tema Oil Refinery to refine the country’s oil in the wake of consistent hikes in prices of petroleum products.

Speaking on TV3 NewDay on Monday, May 9, monitored by GhanaPlus.com, he said the country’s reliance on imported finished petroleum products while same can be done by TOR is a disadvantage and urged government must do all it can to bring the state entity back on its feet.

Mr Ayisi thinks “it is time we properly resource the Tema oil refinery and begin to refine our products here”

“….Fortunately we are also exporters of crude. Is time Bella, I think it is time we properly resource the Tema oil refinery and begin to refine our products here. Our continuing import of finished products to the country is not good for us in terms of forex and all other things it is to our disadvantage as a country”.

“So I think in the midst of the crises, if we are able to think beyond the crises and look at the possibilities, opportunities available and seize those opportunities and use them to our advantage that will be good for us. So I think that government should take a careful look at TOR and do whatever we can to make TOR start refining crude in this country,” the NPP communicator said.

He was the view, if government want TOR to work it can be done.

Mr Ayisi made the call while contributing to discussion on the report of eminent shortage of fuel in the country and also a 20% increase in transport fares announced by the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU).

Fuel shortage imminent- Transport Petroleum and Chemical Workers Union reveals

Ghanaians have been hit with consistent hikes in petroleum prices since January this year, something government have blamed it on the Russia-Ukraine War.

The development have become a sources of worry for many due to its ripple effect on almost all aspect of the economy and life in general.

Just last week, the National Chairperson of the General Transport Petroleum and Chemical Workers Union, Mr Bernard Owusu, warned of a nationwide shortage of fuel.

According to him, the country’s currently stock is likely to last at most for six weeks.

“As we speak now, if we don’t take time, we might be experiencing petroleum shortage in the country because of this war that is coming from Ukraine and Russia. Because most of our products are from these countries, so it’s a very difficult situation for the country and at the same time for Ghanaians as well”.

Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) and other unions on the other hand have announced a 20% increment in transport fares despite the already hash economic difficulties currently facing Ghanaians.

The fares took effect on Monday, May 9.

Source: GhanaPlus.com