The Board of Directors of the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) has denied accusations of incompetence levelled against its members by the General Transport and Petroleum Chemical Workers Union (GTPCWU).
Raising concerns about the proposed lease deal with Torentco Asset Management Group, the union, at a press conference, said: “The Board of Tema Oil Refinery has exhibited some sort of incompetent attitude that we have been complaining about for the past 18 months, and it seems like authorities are not adhering to our call”.
Its National Chairman Bernard Owusu said the board, that has been instituted for almost 2 years, “has not been able to get a very genuine partner to take over the affairs of the refinery to ensure that the refinery runs smoothly”.
In a riposte, however, the Board of Directors of TOR said in a statement on Friday that it “condemns, in no uncertain terms”, the allegations levelled against it in the media on 4 October 2023 by the TOR PMSU of GTPCWU and the TOR Divisional Union of GTPCWU.
“The Board also takes serious exception to the threats issued and treats the act with all the disdain they deserve.”
The Board said the allegations were false, unfounded, and derogatory as well as views them as an attack on the fundamental freedom of its members and a threat to their very lives.
“The plain insults and calling of names by executives of the Union of GTPCWU is a dent in the hard-won reputation of the distinguished members of the Board. It has exposed them to public ridicule and contempt,” TOR BoD added.
The Board said its highly qualified and respected individuals had always acted with integrity, professionalism, and in the best interest of the Company, its shareholders, and stakeholders generally, adding it had worked assiduously from the day it was appointed and has never relented on its duty to serve TOR; neither has it engaged in any misconduct or abuse of power as it continues to work and identify opportunities to add value to the premier Refinery of the Country.
“Describing the Board as incompetent by the Union of GTPCWU is therefore an affront to their very dignity and must be treated with contempt. This notwithstanding, the Board has taken the allegations seriously and has commenced investigations to ascertain the circumstances leading to the media reports and will take whatever appropriate action is required to clear its reputation,” the BoD added.
“We ask for your patience and understanding as we work to resolve the situation as quickly and fairly as possible,” it added.
Classfmonline.com
