TOR ASSURES OF FUEL SUPPLY (1B, JANUARY 21, 2010)

The management of the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) has given the assurance that in spite of the fire outbreak which destroyed the Loading Gantry of the refinery, fuel supply to consumers will not be interrupted.
The Managing Director of TOR, Dr Kwame Ampofo, who gave the assurance when two deputy ministers of Energy, Mr Emmanuel Kofi Buah and Dr Kwabena Donkor, paid a visit to the refinery, therefore, advised the public against any panic buying.
The two deputy ministers were at the refinery to confer with the management and assess the extent of damage caused by the fire outbreak.
Dr Ampofo explained that fuel supply to the depots was done through direct pumping which did not need the loading rack nor the services of the tankers before being delivered.
Interacting with journalists, Mr Buah commended personnel of the emergency support services for promptly responding to calls that salvaged the situation last Tuesday morning.
He noted that looking at the strategic importance of TOR, the government would pursue measures to prevent the recurrence of such an incident in the future.
He said the government was saddened by the fire and expressed condolences to the families of the deceased workers of the refinery.
Dr Donkor appealed to the media to assist in assuring the nation of continuous supply of fuel through the various storage depots across the country.
Earlier in the day, officials from the National Petroleum Authority, led by the Chairman of the board, Mr Kojo Fynn, had also visited the fire scene.
They expressed satisfaction with the measures put in place by the management of TOR to ensure safety while investigations continued.