Africa-Press – Tanzania. KAGERA residents and Tanzanians in general have been urged to fully exploit opportunities arising from implementation of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) project, including protecting it.
Speaking in the region yesterday, Kagera Regional Commissioner Major Gen Charles Mbuge said Tanzanians, especially residents from areas where the pipeline will pass through, must grab the emerging business opportunities The EACOP project will cover 1,447Kms out which Tanzania takes the lion’s share, with about 1,147 kms, equivalent to 80 per cent.
About 10,000-15,000 Tanzanians will get employment. The oil pipeline will pass through eight regions, 24 districts and 134 wards.
The respective regions include Kagera, Geita, Shinyanga, Tabora, Singida, Dodoma, Manyara and Tanga. In Kagera region alone, the pipeline will pass through 20 wards, 34 villages and 117 hamlets.
Major General Mbuge assured eligible people whose land has been taken for implementation for the eagerly awaited oil pipeline project that they will be paid compensation soon.
However, he warned people affected by the project to be faithful and avoid cheating following an evaluation of their properties.
“People affected by the implementation of the EACOP project will be paid compensation soon. An evaluation made by the government had already been completed. However, people should be faithful and avoid cheating as this could lead to being prosecuted in court,” he warned.
He said Tanzania holds 15 per cent shares under the Hoima (Uganda)- Chongoleani (Tanga) oil pipeline, adding that the government had already paid 259.96bn/- under the implementation of the project. He also appealed to companies locally owned by Tanzanians to register themselves under the Energy, Water Utility Regulatory Authority (EWURA).
The companies would get priority while considering tenders in the implementation of the project. About 852 local companies had until August 31st, this year been registered by the Energy Water Utilities Authority (EWURA), to benefit from the EACOP project. Major Gen Mbuge disclosed that so far about three components had been completed namely, geological studies, geophysical studies and geotechnical studies.
In the project implementation, there will be four pumping stations on Tanzania side to be located at Kyaka (Missenyi) in Kagera region, one in Singida and two others in Tanga. Also, there will be 17 camps.
“This is a golden opportunity. We have a duty to safeguard the pipeline 24/7. Let’s all play our role satisfactorily,” he said.
He said by next month compensation process would be in final stages whereby all affected people will be notified and know the exact amount to be paid.
The 3.5 billion US dollar-oil pipeline project would take three years to be completed (2024) stretching from Hoima in Uganda to Chongeleani, Tanga.
Three international companies have been identified to do the job including Total (France), Tullow (UK) and CNOOC -China).
