Head of Corporate Affairs, Tema Oil Refinery (TOR), Mrs Aba Lokko says TOR will start operations by the end of the first quarter of this year, 2013.
TOR has not been able to refine crude since July 2012 due to broken down equipment.
She said with the $30 million from government to TOR to enable it restart refining operations at the Residual Fuel Catalytic Cracker, (RFCC), she is optimistic that TOR will be back on its feet.
Speaking in an interview on Peace FM�s morning show programme �Kokrokoo� with host Kwami Sefa-Kayi, Mrs Lokko indicated that TOR had originally requested $67million from government to restart its operations but was asked to reduce its requirement, bringing the cash injection to $30million.
She said if government is able to help, TOR will be able to fully come back on its feet and even help to solve the recent shortage of aviation jet fuel.
"In October, we were able to fix the plants but when we started working, we realised that there is another fault with the RFCC Plant.
"The damage was very extensive and that is what we have been dealing with. It is not true that we are not working. Our maintenance department is having sleepless night working on the plant to restore it," she said.
She pleaded with Ghanaians to exercise restraints because they (TOR) are not resting on their loins.
"We are coming back; I can�t commit to a specific date, however, at the end of the first quarter of the year, we will be able to complete the work...� she added.
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