By Our Reporter
CNOOC Uganda Limited has handed over 56 newly constructed resettlement houses for the project affected persons. The houses comprise of 3 bedrooms, a living room, 1 outdoor kitchen and 1 VIP latrine, rain water harvesting equipment and solar power for lighting and other light energy needs.
The beneficiaries were people whose households were affected during project land acquisition that was required for the project development ahead of the construction schedule for project infrastructure such as the Central Processing Facility, drilling camp, well pads, infield flow lines, spoil areas, access roads, safety buffers around project facilities and the Feeder pipeline.
The project has implemented four (4) Resettlement Action Plans (RAPs) which include; Legacy RAP – 61 PAPs for the Escarpment Road, RAP I – 31 PAPs for the CPF, Well pads, RAP II 680 PAPs for the Feeder Pipeline, Infield lines, access roads and RAP III -16 PAPs for buffer zones for the CPF and wellpads.
These particular resettlement houses that were handed over are part of RAP II and RAP III.
The resettlement units (inclusive of two institutional toilets for a school and a church) spread across 3 Sub counties of Kyangwali, Kabwoya, Buseruka and 5 parishes of Buhuka, Kyangwali, Butoole, Kaseeta and Kabaale in Hoima and Kikuube districts.
In his speech at the handover ceremony, Mr. Ma Peixin, Vice President, CNOOC Uganda Limited thanked the community for the continued support to the project and welcoming CNOOC Uganda Limited to their community.
He further echoed CNOOC Uganda Limited’s commitment to being a good neighbor and always striving to create Win-Win relationships with the local community.
“This is a testament to the commitment CNOOC Uganda Limited has to fulfill its obligations and continued operation according to national and international best practices and guidelines especially the IFC standards.” Mr. Ma noted, adding that, “CNOOC Uganda Limited reaffirms its commitment to the efficient and effective development of the Kingfisher Development Area in a health, safe, environmentally friendly and sustainable manner.”
Robinson Oketcha, a representative of the project affected persons, said that he is very happy to receive his house and described the new house as being a very big upgrade from his old mud house.
The Chief Guest, Hon. Peter Lokeris the Minister of State for Mineral Development commended CNOOC Uganda Limited for the job well done on delivering the resettlement houses and ensuring that the land acquisition was done in compliance with the relevant legal requirements of the Government of Uganda and International Best Practice.
Hon. Lokeris said the handover of the resettlement houses is a big milestone regarding the oil and gas Projects as it signifies that the EPC Contractors can access the Project acquired lands without encumbrances giving assurances of meeting the schedule for First Oil in Q2 2025.