Toni Aubynn
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Petroleum Hub Development Corporation (PHDC), Dr. Toni Aubynn, has assured residents of Nzema and other stakeholders that decisive action will be taken on the Petroleum Hub project in their area this year.
The assurance follows concerns raised by a group calling itself Concerned Youth of Nzema over what it described as delays in the implementation of the project.
The Petroleum Hub project, initiated under the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) government, is expected to boost the country’s energy sector, create employment opportunities and promote industrial and economic development.
However, the youth group has argued that despite repeated public assurances and stakeholder engagements, work on the project has yet to commence, even though a sod-cutting ceremony was held prior to the last general election.
Responding to the concerns, Dr. Aubynn declared that “this year is a year of action for the Petroleum Hub project,” stressing that the long preparatory phase is expected to translate into visible work on the ground.
According to him, 2026 will be the year when the extensive groundwork carried out over the past years culminates in concrete, site-based implementation.
“2026 is a critical year for the Petroleum Hub. It is a year we will see action. We want to move from talk to action, and we are very hopeful that this will happen,” he said.
Dr. Aubynn attributed his optimism to what he described as strong backing from the President in pushing the project forward.
“I am confident things will happen this year because of the vision of the President. He has been very supportive. People may not see the open support he gives us, but he has been extremely supportive,” he told journalists.
He also highlighted the consistent support from the Minister of Energy and Green Transition, John Jinapor, his deputy, and the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah.
“I am confident the project is ready for take-off, with major activities expected at the Jomoro site this year,” he added.
Meanwhile, some residents of Jomoro have maintained that in 2025, the most visible activity by the PHDC leadership was a stakeholder engagement campaign aimed at deepening understanding of the project.
They noted that these engagements later extended to key summits and conferences with foreign investors.
From Emmanuel Opoku, Takoradi