The Inquirer (Monrovia)
Sebo Daniels
12 May 2008
If all goes well, the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company (LPRC) is to shortly begin the process of expanding its storage facilities at the company's sub-office on Bushrod Island.
According to the Managing Director of the LPRC, Mr. Harry A. Greaves, five companies are expected to vie for the contract for the construction of additional tanks.
In an exclusive interview with The Inquirer last week at the LPRC office, Mr. Greaves said the process would be transparent, as all the necessary modalities have been worked out for the process to begin.
Explaining further, he said the current storage tanks have outlived their usefulness, something, which has precipitated the expansion exercise by constructing new ones.
However, Mr. Greaves narrated that with the deteriorating situation regarding the future outlook of the area since it is a sensitive place, he contacted a consultant firm to conduct a feasibility study of the pending project, something which he said, has already been concluded.
Because of this, the LPRC boss disclosed that the firm, William G. Matthew Associates, a Canadian group has already submitted their work plan and the bill of quantity attached for the entire exercise.
Although, he declined to comment on the cost associated with the Canadian assessment pending the submission of bids by the five competing entities for the job, Mr. Greaves added that with the exception of the storage tanks project, management is in the process to install sprinklers at key areas of the compound that would have the capacity to extinguish fire when the need arises.
The tough talking Managing Director stated again that due to the inability of banking institutions to assist the company with loans to do the project, he said LPRC may single handedly shoulder the cost of the storage expansion and the fire sprinklers project.
Meanwhile, Mr. Greaves says in an effort to put the LPRC on par with international standard the World Bank has agreed to reconstruct the company's Jetty, the area where vessels berth to discharge product
He said at the moment the Jetty is in a deplorable condition and commended the World Bank for coming to the aid of the LPRC in these difficult times of the nation's history.
Concluding, he said there are other things that need to be done at the entity following years of civil strife but, could not do so now due to the huge cost associated for implementation.
He named the refinery plant; outstation storage facilities for the decentralization product and the rehabilitation of the company's main office in Gardnerville among others.
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