Maintenance works on the Tema Oil Refinery has been completed ahead of the scheduled commencement of crude oil refinery in the first quarter of 2018.

With the discovery of oil and gas in Ghana, the company has attempted to expand and position itself to improve its infrastructure.

This is to ensure reliability of petroleum products on the Ghanaian market and also to enhance export to the ECOWAS sub-region.

Management of TOR is counting on workers to put in more efforts to ensure the efficiency of the refinery.

“A positive attitude of employees towards work is what will keep the company high as production starts, in order to have TOR bounce back on its feet,” TOR’s Board Chairman, Tongreaan Kugbilsong Nanlebegtang, said.

Since 1963, TOR has been the engine of growth for Ghana’s economy in the vision of successive governments’ efforts at having a vibrant and robust energy sector.

Ghana’s only refinery has been plagued with funding challenges, which have resulted in several shutdowns.

Successive governments have had to institute a recovery debt levy to offset its indebtedness.

Managing Director of TOR Isaac Osei said the refinery will expand further than it is currently with prudent management at the helm of affairs.

He noted that training and re-training of staff will play an integral role in strategizing for growth in the coming year.

Speaking at a special send-off ceremony to honour a number of retired staff in recognition of their dedicated service to TOR, the Board Chairman and the Managing Director pledged their willingness to vigorously embark on key strategies to turn the refinery around.

The send-off ceremony is a programme instituted by TOR to recognize and celebrate retired employees for their long service, commitment and dedication to duty when they were with the company.

A total of 50 staff who retired between 2015 and 2017 were honoured in recognition of their meritorious service.