Ghana’s Minister for Energy, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, has rejected the assertion by the energy think tank, Institute for Energy Security (IES) that he has failed to provide the leadership in finding a strategic partner for the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR).
The IES, in a statement published by energynewsafrica.com, claimed Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh is being clueless and failing to provide a single strategic option to lift TOR out of its present condition while clamouring for another refinery.
“It is reported that the Minister is uncooperative with TOR’s Management and Board decisions and strategic directions, a situation which would generate another round of leadership failure at the State refinery,” the IES said.
However, reacting to the claims, the Ministry, in a statement, insisted that the country’s Energy Minister is providing strong leadership at TOR.
The Ministry noted that on 11th March 2021, four days after assuming office as Energy Minister, Dr. Prempeh undertook a working visit to TOR to familiarise himself with the situation on the ground.
The Ministry continued that after the dismissal of the Managing Director, Francis Boateng, and his Deputy, Ato Morrison, the Minister constituted a three-member IMC on June 15, 2021, whose terms of reference were to ensure the smooth transfer from the previous directors, undertake technical and human resource audits as well as receive and assess viable partnerships for TOR.
As part of its handing over notes, the IMC made recommendations to the incoming board regarding a strategic partner and sought the necessary approvals from the Public Procurement Authority (PPA).
The Ministry said in February and March 2022, when a new Managing Director and board took office respectively, they were tasked with a clear mandate to work towards securing a strategic partner for the revamping of the refinery.
“The Minister, subsequently, wrote to request an evaluation of all the processes involving interested parties and submitted same for the attention of an inter-ministerial committee including the Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Public Enterprise, State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA) and TOR. This was to enable the committee to make the necessary recommendations to the President.
“On 20th May 2022, government approved TOR to begin negotiations with a strategic partner.”
After this, on 10th June 2022, the Minister wrote to the Managing Director of TOR to provide guidelines and advice as the refinery prepares, together with its prospective transactional advisor, to enter into negotiations with a strategic partner,” the Ministry indicated.
Among others, the Ministry said the Minister directed further that TOR’s indebtedness and workers’ pension funds must be included in the negotiations with the strategic partner.
In the said letter, the Minister emphasised that whatever agreement that might be reached between the refinery and the strategic partner was not final until it had been subjected to further scrutiny by the Ministry of Energy and the Office of the President.
The release stated further that it was clear the Minister has demonstrated ‘clear leadership, focus and vision’ in working towards the revamping of TOR, and further asserts that the claim by the IES ‘is borne either out of ignorance of these facts or a deliberate attempt to tarnish the Minister’s image’.
The Ministry further noted that given the weight likely to be accorded the IES’s comments, it was important for the organisation to be circumspect in its public pronouncements and ensure fidelity to facts before going public.
‘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 industrialisation drive, and will continue to provide strategic leadership and direction in this regard’ the press release concluded.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
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