Dr. Toni Aubynn, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Petroleum Hub Development Corporation (PHDC), issued a compelling plea to Parliament for assistance in securing compensation for landowners in Jomoro, the designated site for the transformative Petroleum Hub project.
During a strategic retreat in Accra with the Parliamentary Select Committee on Energy, Dr. Aubynn elucidated the engagementโs dual objectives: to provide comprehensive insights into the project and to secure parliamentary endorsement for raising the $300 million required for land compensation.
Expressing heartfelt appreciation for the MPsโ participation, Dr. Aubynn underscored Parliamentโs pivotal role as an indispensable ally in advancing the Petroleum Hub initiative.
โThis endeavor is both ambitious and attainable, a visionary undertaking that Ghana has judiciously embraced. The Lands Commission is progressing with land acquisition, yet we must substantiate our capacity to fund compensation,โ he declared. โOur engagement with the committee serves two purposes: first, to foster a deeper understanding of the hub, countering misconceptions that deem it impractical or unworthy of priority. Second, to enlist your support in translating this vision from blueprint to reality. Your aid, particularly in securing land compensation, is paramount. Presently, seventy-four investors are poised to contribute, pending only a clear land title.โ
Hon. Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Energy, noted that the retreat originated from preliminary dialogues between committee members and PHDC leadership. He emphasized that the engagement aligns with the committeeโs overarching strategy to collaborate closely with all agencies under its purview.
Hosted at the Alisa Hotel in Accra, the retreat featured robust participation from the Energy Committee and dynamic involvement from the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin. The event served as a crucial forum for the PHDC, under Dr. Aubynnโs stewardship, to articulate the vision, mission, and strategic blueprint of the Petroleum Hub project.
About the PHDC
Established under the Petroleum Hub Development Corporation Act, 2020 (Act 1053), the Petroleum Hub Development Corporation (PHDC) is mandated to spearhead the creation of a premier petroleum and petrochemical hub in Ghana, addressing the energy demands of the West African sub-region and the broader continent.
The PHDC champions innovation, research, and strategic infrastructure development to meet Africaโs escalating demand for petroleum products and services. By cultivating an integrated petroleum value chain, the corporation aims to unlock economic potential, catalyze industrial advancement, and generate sustainable employment opportunities for Ghanaians and African citizens continent-wide.
About the Petroleum Hub Project
The $60 billion Petroleum Hub Project, situated in Jomoro in Ghanaโs Western Region, will encompass: Three refineries with a combined capacity of 900,000 barrels per stream day (BPSD).
Five petrochemical plants with a minimum capacity of 90,000 BPSD. Storage tanks with a total capacity of 10 million cubic meters. At least two jetties to streamline import and export operations.
This landmark initiative is poised to position Ghana as a preeminent petroleum and petrochemical hub in Africa, bolstering regional energy security and fostering economic integration.
