Accra, Feb. 26, GNA - The Loading Gantry of the Tema Oil Refinery, (TOR) which was damaged in the recent fire outbreak would take several months to be restored due to the extent of the damage.

The cost of damage to the gantry is estimated at GH¢120,000 whilst physical damage at the refinery is estimated at 2.5 million dollars. Two employees lost their lives with many being severely injured in t= he January 19 fire. Five load tankers were burnt beyond recognition and two other tankers were damaged. Mr Emmanuel Quartey, Chairman of the Committee that investigated the fire outbreak, made these known when the committee presented a 24-page report to the Minister of Energy, on Friday.

Other members of the committee were Dr Yaw Akoto of Bulk Oil Storage (BOST), Deputy Fire Officer J.W. Mensah, Nii Lamptey Blankson of the Bure= au of National Investigations (BNI), Lt. Col. Diamond Akplor (Rtd) and Mrs Daphne Akonor at the Attorney-General's Office.

The committee was tasked to investigate the cause of the fire, ascertain the extent of damage, evaluate the appropriateness of the exist= ing safety and security measures at TOR, identify any safety and security iss= ues that in their opinion were relevant to safeguard the facility and prevent future occurrences. Mr Quartey, a former General Manager of Health, Safety and Environme= nt, at TOR, said the committee recommended that TOR improved its management o= f safety.

He said TOR also needed better supervision by the regulatory authori= ty and it should ensure that the system of procedures at the facility were enforced, monitored and complied with.

When these were implemented, he said, such tragedy would be prevente= d. The committee, he said, for now had recommended that the driver and mate of the loading vehicle at time of the accident be held responsible f= or the cause of the tragedy.

He explained that the investigations they conducted revealed that th= e driver of the tanker at the gantry who had finished loading premix gasoli= ne for fishermen was trying to spark his tanker and the ignition caught fire resulting in the tragedy. The two duty attendants at the gantry got burnt and died, whilst several others were severely injured.

Mr Emmanuel Armah Kofi-Boah, Deputy Minister of Energy, who received the report on behalf of the government, comm ended the committee for the enormous job executed at a short notice.

He noted that TOR was a strategic asset that needed to be protected and said the government would treat the findings and recommendations with all urgency and implement the recommendations to avert further occurrence= s.