The Chairperson of Parliament’s Select Committee on Environment, Science and Technology, Yaw Addo Frimpong, has called for knowledge and technology transfer from Sentuo Oil Refinery to bolster the country’s state-owned Tema Oil Refinery (TOR).
He said the Chinese-operated facility offered advanced technology, infrastructure and skills that the country could significantly leverage for national benefit.
“This is not in a bad way, but as we are all aware, TOR was established a long time ago, and as a result, most of its equipment is obsolete.
This place is more or less modernised, and we as a nation can leverage on technology transfer,” he said.
He said this when the Committee on Environment, Science and Technology, as part of its oversight responsibility, paid a monitoring visit to the Sentuo Oil Refinery in Tema yesterday.
The visit showcased Sentuo’s robust safety protocols and detailed breakdown of emission controls.
Mr Frimpong emphasised that adopting similar standards at TOR could drive sustainable development in the country’s oil sector, despite being competitors, saying,
“This is not the jungle where the big animal swallows the little one.”
He then expressed general satisfaction with Sentuo’s infrastructure and safety measures to curb emissions and pollution emanating from their operations.
Strengthening EPA
The Manso Adubia MP also commended the harmony between Sentuo and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which he said had enabled smooth operations at the refinery.
The Ranking Member and MP for Kumbungu, Hamza Adam, however, revealed that the committee had identified significant gaps in the EPA’s oversight mechanisms.
He lamented that the regulator appeared to dwell entirely on reports submitted by clients such as refineries rather than conducting independent audits.
Mr Adam, therefore, stressed the critical need for enhanced capacity to verify emission levels independently, warning that over-reliance on operator-submitted data undermined effective regulation and environmental protection.
Ghana’s industrialisation
The Chairman of the Sentuo Group, Xu Ningquan, reaffirmed Sentuo Group’s commitment to the country’s industrialisation agenda, stating that the company had put in place deliberate measures to ensure sustained and continuous investment.
He emphasised long-term planning, strategic partnerships, and reinvestment in infrastructure and technology to support industrial growth, job creation, and value addition within the country’s manufacturing and energy sectors.
Mr Ningquan iterated the complexity and strategic importance of the refinery project, stressing the role of top-level engineering expertise and round-the-clock teamwork in its success.
He also emphasised advancements in foundry technology, adherence to high production standards, and strong environmental practices.
He expressed pride in showcasing modern, high-level local manufacturing to stakeholders and promoting industrial capability.
Source:
www.graphic.com.gh
