By Leilah Bbaale
The East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) has this Thursday launched the land acquisition of the construction of the company’s main camp and pipe yard in Kasambya village, Katikara sub county in Kakumiro district.
EACOP Ltd on behalf of government completed the acquisition of the first of the four similar areas required for construction support for the development of the project in Uganda.
The land measuring 47.22 acres (19.11 hectares) will be transferred to the Ugandan Land Commission and leased to EACOP as per the Host Government Agreement.
Speaking on Thursday, EACOP Managing Director, Martin Tiffen said prior to the acquisition, agreements were signed with 32 project affected persons after being fully compensated.
He also noted that project affected persons have been able to harvest their crops prior to the expiry of the notice to vacate’ and that under the eligible project affected persons are also entitled to transitional food support and access to livelihood restoration programs.
The EACOP Managing Director said the company is committed to completing the rest of the land acquisition program in full compliance with laws before physically accessing any land.
According to Tiffen, 3648 people are affected by the pipeline and as of today, 2940 have signed their compensation agreements, 2502 of which have been fully compensated.
Officials from EACOP also said that 203 have been physically displaced by the oil pipeline construction activities, 174 replacement houses are currently under construction and 39 have already been handed over to the affected persons.
The EACOP Managing Director applauded the Energy Ministry and the Petroleum Authority of Uganda for their “policy direction and continuous oversight” of the process.
The Prime Minister of Bunyoro kingdom, Andrew Byakutaga applauded EACOP Ltd for the “exemplary manner” in which the project affected persons were engaged, “in compliance with the laws”, regulations and “customs of Uganda”.
He also hailed the company for its “utmost respect for environment, local cultures and human rights”.
Onesmus Mugyenyi, the chairman Civil Soiety Coalition on Oil and Gas asked government to all the civil society organizations to monitor the oil projects so as to give out credible information than rely on speculations.
The camp in Kasambya is the first of the four construction facilities that the company is to set up.
