President Akufo-Addo has charged Goil PLC of Ghana and Société Multinationale de Bitumes (SMB) of Côte d’Ivoire, the two institutions that partnered to establish a bitumen processing facility in Ghana, to maintain operational excellence at the world-class facility.
The President noted that the $40 million project is a testament to what can be achieved when nations within the ECOWAS community combine their resources, expertise, and resolve.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony of the African Bitumen Terminal (a Goil/SMB joint venture) on Thursday, 12 September 2024, in Tema, President Akufo-Addo highlighted the potential of the plant, saying it opens the door for Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire to become exporters of bitumen to countries within the West Africa region and beyond.
“This facility has come at the right time. My government is undertaking the most extensive road network expansion ever seen in this country, with the construction of some 12,000 kilometers of roads since 2017. I strongly believe that the contribution of the Goil/SMB bitumen plant will fully complement the government’s efforts in road construction,” the President stated.
“As we commission this plant today, it is crucial that we look to the future and consider its broader implications. This bitumen plant will not only meet the needs of Ghana’s road construction sector, but it will also create significant export opportunities, particularly within the ECOWAS community,” he added.
“The economic and social benefits of this facility will ripple across our economy, contributing to foreign exchange earnings, job creation, and enhanced technological expertise. The importance of ensuring that this facility runs effectively and efficiently cannot be overstated. This plant must operate at the highest standards, ensuring that the bitumen products produced here are of the highest quality and meet international specifications,” Akufo-Addo emphasized.
Cooperation
Robert Beugré Mambé, Prime Minister of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, representing Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara, expressed that the commissioning of the joint bitumen terminal marks a new chapter in diplomatic and bilateral relations between Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire. He shared that President Ouattara is delighted about the successful realization of the project and looks forward to its future success.
Stop Bitumen Imports
In his remarks, Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Goil PLC, Kwame Osei-Prempeh, stated that with the commissioning of the project, bitumen—an essential commodity for road construction—will be readily available in the country to support the government’s massive road construction agenda. He urged the government to stop the importation of bitumen through approved and unapproved routes and processes.
Zero-Carbon Emissions
Minister of State at the Energy Ministry, Herbert Krappa, commended the bitumen plant’s significance, not only for the road sector but also for the broader Ghanaian economy. He urged the plant’s managers to target zero-carbon emissions throughout its operations.
“Today, being responsible with our carbon emissions is no longer optional. We are witnessing the effects of a rapidly warming globe, and we must take decisive action,” Krappa said.
“This plant must serve as a zero-carbon emission model for others to follow. It should contribute directly to our efforts to reach net-zero in the coming years and ensure energy efficiency at all levels,” he added.
Krappa further encouraged the plant to explore renewable energy sources for its operations, use compressed natural gas for its trucks, and develop carbon sinks for areas that are harder to mitigate.
African Bitumen Terminal
The African Bitumen Terminal and production plant is a partnership between GOIL PLC and Société Multinationale de Bitumes (SMB), Côte d’Ivoire. It has a production capacity of 7,500 MT and is located in Tema, in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana.
The facility’s operations include transferring bitumen from tanker vessels at the Oil Jetty to the terminal, storing bitumen (AC 10 & AC 20), producing Polymer Modified Bitumen (PMB) and bitumen emulsions, laboratory testing for product quality, and distributing products via bulk trucks, bitutainers, and drums.
The terminal consists of two bitumen storage tanks (4,000 MT for AC 20 and 2,000 MT for AC 10), a 450 MT Blend Stock tank, two 15 MT mixing tanks for PMB, and several other tanks for bitumen and emulsion storage. The products available include raw bitumen (AC 10 & AC 20), Polymer Modified Bitumen (PMB), and bitumen emulsions.
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