The Tema Oil Refinery – TOR, has disclosed plans to launch weekend operations in order to prevent premix fuel shortage.
The measure is believed to be in response to a directive by President Nana Akufo-Addo, in an effort to address the persistent shortage of the fuel during the peak of the fishing season.
Since last month – July, most fishing communities along Ghana’s coastal areas have experienced persistent shortage of the premix fuel resulting in some threatening to demonstrate if the government did nothing about the problem.
The Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Elizabeth Afoley Quaye blamed the shortage on faulty pumps at the Tema Oil Refinery but the claim was rejected by TOR.
The TOR management had in its response to the Minister’s statement, claimed that the refinery’s systems were in good condition with the capacity to meet its regular demands.
Adding that it intends to begin weekend operations to enable it meet the growing demand for premix fuel in the country during fishing seasons - in compliance with the government’s directive.
In a statement to stakeholders in the fishing industry made available to the press on Wednesday August 9, 2017, the Minister said: “you can attest to the fact that there has been over abundance of premix since the beginning of January to June. But during this peak season there is a shortfall, so his Excellency has instructed the Tema Oil Refinery to work on weekends so that you all can have access to the fuel. We want TOR to improve upon their supply of fuel to get some premix to all fishermenâ€.