The Acting Managing Director of the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR), Dr. Yussif Sulemana, has debunked reports stating that the refinery needs $25 million to fully restore operations.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, March 19, 2025,and sighted by GhanaWeb Business, Dr. Sulemana clarified that the $25 million is designated solely for the maintenance and operationalisation of a critical unit within the Crude Distillation Unit (CDU), rather than a full-scale refurbishment of the refinery.

“The $25m indicated is for the immediate maintenance and operational needs of the CDU and signifies a phase in a bigger effort and initiative to fully resume the core business of the refinery,” the statement read.

He further emphasised that a comprehensive overhaul of TOR, which would integrate modern technologies and improve efficiency, would require significantly higher investment beyond the stated amount.

Importance of the CDU in refinery operations

The Crude Distillation Unit (CDU) is a critical component of TOR’s operations, serving as the primary processing unit where crude oil is refined into various petroleum products before being sent to market.

It is important to ensure its functionality is essential for resuming partial operations, while long-term investments are secured for full-scale operation and modernisation of the refinery.

SP/EK