The Energy Minister, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh has issued a stern warning to workers of struggling Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) that government will not hesitate to expel anyone who wants the nation only refinery to collapse.
He lamented the insubordination and insolence that has characterised TOR.
According to him, he would not shield any worker of the Refinery including management found culpable of acting in a manner that will collapse TOR.
He noted that government wants to see a new mindset and attitude towards the improvement of the operation of the company.
“His Excellency the President does not want that under his regime that TOR will collapse but he wants more people employed. Anyone working here, management or ordinary worker who think his activities will not lead to the promotion of TOR should find himself a better place to work. I said this to the union leaders and they don’t like it. It’s not the duty of the workers to tell who manages, it is the duty of the management to ensure that TOR grows to be a profitable and healthy concern and if they are not up to it then it is up to the owners of TOR to bring in the necessary change needed,” Dr. Opoku Prempeh made the remarks when he paid a visit to TOR.
He assured the workers that government seeking a strategic partner to help bring TOR back on its feet.
“And since government is the only shareholder in TOR, government will work to bring in partnership to TOR to help TOR grow. And when those partnerships occur and I know they are going to occur very soon, we’ll not hesitate to remove stumbling blocks who want the collapse of TOR,” he warned.
Dr. Opoku Prempeh finds it difficult to understand why TOR is in a financial crisis when there are companies owing the refinery, asking all workers to contribute their quota for the sustainability of the refinery.
He admitted that “the reality must be told that TOR is not in a healthy state. If the activities of leaders behind me will lead to the loss of jobs of those opposite me then there is no point.”
According to him, albeit the massive private sector investment by government doesn’t mean government wants the public sector to collapse.
“TOR is a strategic national asset and we’ll keep it safe and ensure TOR grows from strength to strength. We’ll make sure we support TOR with the needed partnership needed to grow and sustain it,” he emphasised.
