Faith Nyasuguta
Tanzania has given its approval for the construction of a $3.5 billion crude oil pipeline despite human rights and environmental concerns about the mega-project.
The 1,443-kilometre (900-mile) pipeline is set to transport crude oil from vast oilfields being developed in Lake Albert in northwestern Uganda to a Tanzanian port on the Indian Ocean for delivery to international markets.
Uganda’s first oil is expected to flow in 2025 — almost 20 years after reserves were discovered in one of the globe’s most biodiverse regions.
The pipeline needed approval from both countries, and in January, Uganda issued a licence to the project operator, the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP).
“This construction approval marks another step forward to EACOP as it allows commencement of the main construction activities in Tanzania, upon completion of the ongoing land access process,” EACOP Tanzania general manager Wendy Brown said as she received the approval certificate.
The $10 billion oilfields and pipeline project is being jointly developed by France’s TotalEnergies, the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), along with the state oil companies of Uganda and Tanzania.
It has been hailed as an economic boon for both East African countries, where many live in poverty.
It has, however, run into strong opposition from rights and environmental campaigners who say it threatens the region’s fragile ecosystem and the livelihoods of tens of thousands of people.
Brown said about 13,000 households affected along the pipeline’s route, including four percent of whom have been displaced, have been compensated.
Stringent Standards
According to Tanzanian Energy Minister January Makamba, the environmental and rights concerns are “propaganda”.
“There are a lot of noises in opposition to the project,” Makamba said, but added: “We have complied with all the environmental, safety and human rights standards.”
“We are proud of the pipeline because it will increase Tanzania’s influence in the world.”
In January, Uganda launched an oil drilling programme at the Kingfisher field on the southeastern edge of Lake Albert that is operated by CNOOC.
Tilenga, a second oilfield being developed by TotalEnergies on the north shore, has raised concerns because it extends into Murchison Falls, Uganda’s largest national park.
There are approximately 6.5 billion barrels of crude under the lake — a 160-kilometre long body of water separating Uganda from the Democratic Republic of Congo — of which about 1.4 billion are recoverable.
The reserves are set to last up to 30 years, with production peaking at 230,000 barrels a day.
The underground heated pipeline is set to become the longest of its type when completed, expected in 2025.
“EACOP will comply with not only the laws of Tanzania and Uganda but also with the most stringent international standards,” Brown said.
