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TOR workers want Energy Minister sacked

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Workers of the Tema Oil Refinery are demanding the immediate removal of the Energy Minister Dr Oteng Adjei. The incensed workers held a durbar on Tuesday during which they accused the minister and other Energy advisers of the president, including Ato Ahwoi and Tsatsu Tsikata of working against the interest of the refinery. According to the Vice chairman of the Senior Staff Union, Daniel Fugah the minister flouted a directive by President Mills for TOR to procure its own crude oil from Sahara and other suppliers and instead directed management to rely on the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) for crude. Whilst supplies from GNPC have been erratic, Mr Fugah also argued the refinery is expected to pay huge tolls to GNPC, a policy he claims is counter-productive to the interest of the refinery. The union secretary Gideon Avorgbedor said the activities at the refinery have been grounded to a halt largely because two key plants which serve as the nerve centre of the refinery have been shut down. He was quick to add that the workers have not embarked on a strike, but have been rendered redundant due to the persistent shut downs. Mr Avorgbedor demanded to know one good thing the minister has done to the refinery since his appointment into office, charging "we will pursue him and his likes out of office." He paid glowing tribute to the president for paying part of the TOR debt but cautioned the good intentions of the president will fail to materialise due to activities of some faceless individuals. The union as part of activities to draw government's attention to the frustrations and debilitating conditions at the refinery have resolved to petition the management and Board of Directors of the refinery. A copy of the petition accessed by myjoyonline.com read;"The frequent rate at which we shut down and start up our units pose a lot of hazard to the equipment and personnel." "We hope the management and the members of the Board of Directors of TOR will come out clearly to let all Ghanaians know the names of the officials who are thwarting the efforts of TOR to operate independently in spite of directives given by the president of the Republic of Ghana at a meeting held between officials of TOR, NPA, GNPC and the presidency."

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