By Flavia Ajok
Two key infrastructures required to support the commercial oil production are in the final stages of completion ahead of production target deadline.
This development was revealed as over 100 officials from the Judiciary led by the Chief Justice Dr Flavian Zeija, Bank of Uganda led by the Governor Dr Micheal Ating Ego and Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) joined by teams from Petroleum Authority of Uganda and UNOC visited several key oil and gas projects in Hoima and Kikuube districts on Wednesday.
For the East African Crude Oil Pipeline project, the completion rate stands at 91%. The infrastructure will support the transportation of crude oil from Kabaale Sub County in Hoima district to the Tanga peninsula near India Ocean in Tanzania for international markets.
John Bosco Habomugisha, the Deputy Managing Director of EACOP while addressing the officials at the Pump Station 1 in Kabale Sub County in Hoima District revealed the pipeline construction has cost more than 5 billion dollars and will be used for many years to come to transport crude oil.
He revealed that their activities of constructing the pipeline have suffered delays due to the Middle East conflicts and Ebola outbreak which interfered their access to key resources including raw materials.
For the Kabalega International Airport which will be key in transportation of key equipment necessary for the construction of other oil and gas facilities in Bunyoro region, the completion rate now standards at 98.8% following the kick off of the construction of the Air Traffic Control Tower.
Amos Murisa, the SBC Company’s Public Relations Officer (PRO) says the airport once complete will be in position to accommodate four huge cargo planes at once carrying equipment for oil and gas infrastructures in the region.
Murisa also revealed plans of constructing another terminal specifically for passengers to accommodate AFCON visitors and will be done by mid-2027 ahead of the kick off of the games.
Dr Micheal Ating Ego, the governor bank of Uganda, says the government has injected billions of shillings in the development of oil and gas project facilities and infrastructures and now they are on ground to establish the impact of the funds as Uganda prepares for the first oil drop.
Dr. Flavian Zeija, the Chief Justice of Uganda while speaking at the EACOP’s Pump Station One in Kabaale sub county in Hoima District has disclosed that there has been a lot of misinformation regarding the project with some people claiming that oil was taken long time ago but what they have been told and seen for themselves makes them confirm that oil is there and awaiting production.
While at the CNOOC Uganda’s Kingfisher operation area, Dr Zeija revealed that family grievances over land compensation in the areas of oil and gas will not stop government projects.
He says those with grievances will get their money from court after settling them as projects continue saying that they are very happy with what is happening on the ground.
Mr. Wang Jufeng the Vice President of CNOOC Uganda told the officials that as a company policy, they remain committed to developing Kingfisher operation area while prioritizing environmental protection to ensure Bunyoro region is not affected by climate change effects arising from destruction of ecosystems and biodiversity.
Mr. Wang revealed that the Kingfisher development area has reached 95% in terms of completion for all of their activities as they prepare for oil production phase.
