The Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) management has refuted allegations of engaging in a questionable proposed partnership agreement with Tema Energy and Processing Limited.
This response follows a directive from the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) instructing TOR to suspend the proposed partnership, citing an analysis of potential corruption risks.
In a letter dated November 21, 2023, addressed to TOR’s Managing Director, Daniel Osei Appiah, the OSP requested all necessary documentation regarding the proposed agreement by December 5, 2023.
TOR’s Board Chairman, David Adomako, stated that the proposal underwent scrutiny by key stakeholders in the sector and underwent a competitive tender process. Addressing the media, he emphasized that the board’s objective is to rejuvenate the state-owned company.
“We’ve subjected this deal to competitive tender and evaluated by the TOR board comprised of reputable and highly experienced individual. The proposal was reviewed by the MoE [Ministry of Energy], MoF [Ministry of Finance], SIGA [State Interest and Governance Authority], Attorney General, BOST and the NPA [National Petroleum Authority]”.
“Substance of the proposal has remained constant but changes to the legal identity of the lesser was necessitated by prevailing circumstances and with the knowledge of stakeholders”, he said.
He reiterated that the deal aims to restore TOR to profitable and sustainable refining activities, emphasizing the rehabilitation and improvement of TOR’s infrastructure.
Mr Adomako expressed the board’s commitment to reviving the company, boosting staff morale, and enhancing working conditions and benefits.
“The board is just poised to revive the company. We want to restore the morale of the staff and improve on the working conditions and benefits. We are just committed to supporting the company”, he added.
The reasons behind the OSP’s decision remain unclear, but recent tensions among TOR staff have emerged, with allegations against five colleagues and two board members for allegedly registering an entity called ‘TOR Workers’ Charity Fund’ without the consent of over 500 workers in the TOR-Torentco deal.