By Leilah Bbaale
Residents of Kikuube have today protested against Daqing Oilfield Construction group limited, a company that was sub-contracted by CNOOC Uganda to undertake the construction of the crucial feeder pipeline from the Kingfisher Oilfield to the export delivery point for allegedly being behind the massive destruction of nature as they execute their work.
The Kingfisher Feeder Line project starts from the Central Processing Facility-CPF of Kingfisher Oilfield and ends at the export oil delivery point.
However, the project affected persons-PAPs of the feeder pipeline and those settling adjacent to the feeder pipeline say the company has not adhered to the set environmental guidelines and standards.
Some of the members from the affected areas were holding placards as they matched through the streets of Kikuube towards the officers of Daqing Oilfield construction group limited that is situated in Hohwa village along the Hohwa-Kyarushesha-Kyangwali- Buhuka road in Kabwoya Sub County.
The placards had different messages including; “Stop EACOP”, “Find climate solution not destruction”, “Respect our rights”, Need for safe water, and Invest in our future among others.
They say the company has negatively impacted on the environment by encroaching and degrading the available wetlands, swamps and water sources and also cutting down trees to pave way for the construction of the pipeline that they have not replaced. This the residents say has caused harsh climate conditions in the area.
Adriko Sostine Leti, a resident of Kaseeta village in Kabwoya Sub County says the company has cut down trees that used to attract rainfall in the area but has not replaced any. This, he says, has resulted in a shortage of rainfall with the area receiving almost no rainfall for the past one year. He wants the government to prevail over the company so that it can protect nature.
Kamiat Bingi, a resident of Ndongo village explains that women in the area trek a long distance in search of clean drinking water since almost all water sources in the area have been blocked and destroyed by the construction of the oil pipeline, stating that although they had been promised an alternative, there is no sign that this will be done.
Bridget Nabwire, from Green Foster Action Foundation-GREFA wants the entire EACOP project halted in order for the oil companies to first address the emerging issues affecting the project affected persons-PAPs and the neighboring communities stating that residents are exposed to environmental hazards.
She says, while the project may bring short term economic benefits such as creation of jobs and infrastructure development, these benefits are often outweighed by the long term environmental and social costs.
Abdul Aziiz Bweete, a researcher from Kyambogo University says, the risk of oil spills and other environmental hazards poses a severe threat to the ecosystems endangering wildlife and communities who depend on the natural environment for their livelihoods.
An official at Daqing oilfield construction group limited who spoke to Spice FM on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to speak for the company stated that they are doing everything possible to ensure that they execute their work in an environmentally friendly manner.
