CALL FOR COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON THE PROPOSED SENTUO OIL REFINERY AT THE TEMA HEAVY INDUSTRIAL AREA ENDS ON FRIDAY, 31ST JULY 2020

The Environmental Protection Agency, per statutory requirements, received a draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) from Sentuo Oil Refinery Limited on a proposed Sentuo Oil Refinery Project to be located in the Tema Heavy Industrial Area, precisely within the Chemu catchment area (Figures 1 and 2).
The proponent (Sentuo Oil Refinery Limited) is proposing to develop a refinery that would process 1.5 million metric tons of sour crude oil per year. In accordance with the Environmental Assessment Regulations 1999, LI 1652, public notices were put in national newspapers and the EPA websites for public comments within 21days. 
Also, in accordance with Regulation 17 of the Environmental Assessment Regulations 1999 (LI 1652), the Agency is expected to hold a public hearing on the project due to its far reaching environment effects on the adjoining community, industry and the Chemu catchment as a whole. Public hearings of projects of this nature have been held in the past on a face to face interaction basis, where the proponent presents the proposed project, potential impacts and proposed mitigation measures and also respond to key concerns of the public concerning the project. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its continual rise in Ghana, the public hearing of the proposed Sentuo Oil Refinery Project was held virtually via Zoom yesterday (22/01/2020).
This first ever virtual public hearing of the Agency was attended by about 60 participants online. In addition, about 30 people, mainly from the nearby electoral areas, panel members and some Agency staff were in the NAFAC Hall and also participated via Zoom. The public hearing was intended to provide an opportunity for the proponent to present the proposed project, its potential impacts and proposed mitigation measures and also to address key concerns of the public.
In accordance with the law, the panel members would write a report, including recommendations of the hearing, and submit to the Agency for further action.
The draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) of the proposed project is still available on the Agency’s websites at www.epaoilandgas.org or www.epa.gov.gh for the public to download and submit their comments within the remaining seven days (31st July 2020) for EPA’s action. Alternatively, the EIS is available in hardcopy at the EPA library at the Head office, Tema office, TMA and KKMA for the public to read and submit their comments to the Agency within the same stipulated time.
Please Note: Comments can only be received by the Agency within the stipulated time.

Fig. 1: Location of the Proposed Sentuo Oil refinery relative to the Tema Heavy Industrial Area and Tema New Town

Fig. 2: The exact land take of the Proposed Sentuo Oil refinery of the Chemu catchment area (Plotted from the coordinates of Sentuo site plan of the proposed Oil Refinery).