Mahama Pushes For TOR Privatization

The flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has pledged to revamp the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) if he is elected president come December 7.

“And we all know the inefficiencies that go with state-owned enterprises. And so we are open to private partnership in terms of bringing that refinery back into operation and running it, but we think that whatever private partnership or private participation is invited, it must come through a transparent process,” Mr. Mahama said.

Mr. Mahama stated that a joint private-public partnership will be secured to help revive the nation’s troubled oil refinery.

Speaking at a meeting with players in the petroleum downstream sector in Accra, Mr. Mahama said TOR will be given full attention under his next administration. He failed to activate the solution he is now drumming home, allowing TOR to rot.

“We need to look again at how we can bring the refinery back in place. But I do think that the problems we have with running that refinery is because it is a state-owned enterprise,” he added.

Mr. Mahama emphasized that the inefficiencies associated with state-owned enterprises have contributed to the obstacles facing TOR, and therefore, a private partnership is the solution to reviving the refinery.

“And we all know the inefficiencies that go with state-owned enterprises. And so we are open to private partnership in terms of bringing that refinery back into operation and running it, but we think that whatever private partnership or private participation is invited, it must come through a transparent process,” he indicated.