Mills assures TOR workers of crude oil

President Mills

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President John Evans Atta Mills has assured workers of the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) that government will soon make crude oil available for the smooth operation in the refinery.

The refinery was initially shut down for maintenance work and has since remained dormant because government is yet to procure crude oil to be refined into finished products.

Earlier in the year, President Mills announced a deal has been struck with the Nigerian government for the provision of crude oil, but it is not clear when the deal will materialize.

At a durbar with the workers on Thursday to familiarize himself with the difficulties of the refinery, the president reiterated his government's continued support for the refinery.

“I'm here for one reason and one reason only. I want to crude. I want to assure you that you are going to get crude. Let me say that my visit to you is to emphasise the importance we attached to TOR.”

“…We know the problem, but my brothers and sisters let me ask you, how many Heads of States have visited you in the past. So if I'm here then it is because we want a way out of the present difficulties.”

The union workers have accused some key personnel within the Energy Ministry of benefiting under the present circumstances since they make money importing finished products than having raw crude refined in Ghana.

The president took time to address some of the concerns of the workers by way of answers to questions posed to him during the visit.

He had earlier met with the top notch managers and Board members of the refinery.

Play the attached audio for excerpts of Mills comments with workers of TOR

Story by Nathan Gadugah/Myjoyonline