'Over 800 Tilenga project-affected persons resettled'

The Government says over 800 people affected (PAPs) by oil mining activities in the Tilenga area have been resettled.

The beneficiaries were resettled under the Resettlement Action Plans (RAPs), according to the minister in charge of economic monitoring, Beatrice Akori.

The group from Buliisa, Hoima and Kikuube districts this week received income-generating starter packs at an event held at Kibambura Playground in Buliisa to commemorate the conclusion of the land acquisition and resettlement activities.

According to the minister, a total of 5,553 (99.5%) PAPs have been fully compensated, including 235 physically resettled PAPs, in compliance with national laws and international standards.

Minister Okori (left in yellow dress) franked by President's Office officials (in light green reflector vests) meeting East African Crude Oil Pipeline staff on Tuesday. (Courtesy Photo)

TotalEnergies EP Uganda has provided transitional support and livelihood restoration initiatives to PAPs, designed to restore and enhance their livelihoods.

Through these initiatives, PAPs have received agricultural inputs and support services for three years to improve their production and income.

The function which took place on Tuesday, October 16, 2024, was also graced by mineral development state minister Phiona Nyamutoro.

The development came as a team from the Economic Monitoring and Research under the President's Office and the energy ministry visited the Oil Project Area to monitor the progress of developments in the Industrial area, Central Processing Facility, and drilling site in South Nile (Gunna/Ngiri wells) as well as the Crude oil storage site.

The Uganda oil project envisions drilling over 450 wells on 35 well-pads, leading to an estimated production of 230,000 barrels of oil per day at its peak once production commences.

Production from the multiple fields, that include Kingfisher, Jobi Rii, Ngiri, Kasamene-Wahrindi, Gunya, Nsoga and Kigogole, will contribute to this substantial output.

Commended

At the event, Okori commended the energy ministry for co-ordination of the work being done at the Kabalega Industrial Park, where construction works of the East African Crude Oil pipeline and International Airport are on course, with the teams working tirelessly to meet the deadline.

"The commitment has given me assurance that at least some good progress is going on," she said, noting that the physical works at the site have given her hope that the project is on track to deliver results.

"I want to thank His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Uganda, for this great job that he has done in the oil sector, from oil exploration up to now. We are so grateful, and I know this one will enhance the revenue collection for this country, and as a result, the socio-economic transformation agenda, which is in NRM manifesto, will improve."