About 6,000 stakeholders have on Wednesday thronged Rwemisanga Primary School, Rwemisanga Parish, and Kyangwali Subcounty in Kikuube District to participate in the first Environmental Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) public hearing for the Kingfisher Development (KFDA) Project operated by China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) Uganda Ltd.
The Public hearing, a third of its kind to be organised by Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU) in partnership with National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA), was intended to give a platform in which all relevant stakeholders and developers are brought together to express opinions, and offer suggestions on the proposed Project to influence the decision-making process during review of the ESIA.
Speaking at the public hearing, Ms.Peninah Aheebwa, the Director Technical Support Services at the PAU who represented the Executive Director said the public hearing and the ESIA report are organised in accordance with the National Environment Act and Regulations.
“Our role is to ensure that International Oil Companies (IOCs) adhere to the country’s legal and regulatory framework and international best practice. This includes ensuring that all the Oil and Gas projects are implemented in a manner that does not degrade the Environment and cultural heritage of the people of Uganda, but improves their wellbeing. I therefore call upon all of you to express your opinions openly and objectively,” she said
Mr. Robert Kasande, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development who represented the Minister, said the Public Hearing for the Kingfisher Development Project ESIA Report was an important step towards first oil.
“This Public Hearing brings us closer to what everyone is waiting for. One of the precursors to the Final Investment Decision (FID) being taken, is proper documentation of both the positive and negative Environment and Social impacts of the projects, and the mitigation measures. FID will usher in the Engineering, Procurement and Construction phase where many benefits for the country will be realized,” said Kasande.
The KFDA ESIA was conducted by Golder Associates from UK and Eco and Partner consult from Uganda on behalf of CNOOC Uganda Limited that was awarded a production license by the Government of Uganda in 2012. The ESIA presents a description of the project facilities and the potential positive and negative impacts and mitigation measures during the construction, operation and decommissioning phases.
Mr. Cui Yujun, the Vice President of CNOOC Uganda Ltd presented the ESIA Report on behalf of the company that is the lead developer of the Kingfisher Development Project. A copy of the ESIA and its summary can be accessed on the websites of the PAU and NEMA.
Speaking at the same event, the Executive Director of NEMA, Dr.Tom Okurut said the resolutions from the public hearing will affect the final decision on the award of the Environmental Impact Assessment certificate for the Kingfisher development project, which is necessary before oil production commences.
“Your views will determine whether CNOOC is awarded the certificate or not. Our role is to ensure that this oil is produced in a manner that uplifts the Environment and does not become hazardous to our lives but instead makes it better,” he said.
Mr. Andrew Byakutaga, the Prime Minister of Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom asked CNOOC to respect the norms, cultures and wellbeing of the natives as they implement the project and do it in a way that uplifts the dignity and cultural heritage of the people in the area.
“Our cultural heritage like the tombs, historical sites, tourism spots, birds, animals must be protected. These have defined as the people of Bunyoro for hundreds of years. As much as we want this oil, we also want to preserve our Environment and culture,” he said.
Other stakeholders implored the project developers to ensure fair and adequate compensation for their land and to ensure that the host communities benefit from the jobs and opportunities to provide goods and services.
The Kingfisher Project components that will be located in Kikuube and Hoima Districts include: The development of 4 Well pads: holding 31 wells (20 production wells and 11 water injection wells, aCentral Processing Facility (CPF), flowlines to transport well fluids from production wells to the Central Processing Facility, a 46 km Feeder Pipeline to transport crude oil from CPF at KFDA to the delivery point in Kabaale, Hoima District and associated Supporting Infrastructure: camps, materials laydown yard, jetty, airstrip, and infield access roads among others.
The project developers are CNOOC Uganda Limited (operator), Total E&P Uganda and Tullow Uganda Operations Pty Limited.
The public hearing was presided over by Professor Grace Bantebya Kyomuhendo from the School of Gender Studies at Makerere University. Members of Parliament on the Natural Resources Committee led by MP Keefa Kiwanuka were also present.
The next public hearing will be held on Friday June 21, 2019 in Kaabale Parish, Buseruka sub-county, Hoima district to give the same opportunity in the area to discuss the report.
