EACOP: A CLOSER LOOK AT PROGRESS

Hadi Wafta explaining to journalist progress at EACOP Pumping Station in Kibaale.

By Daniel Amule

Arua

The East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), a transnational project, is shaping up.

Currently works on the Kibaale Pumping Station in Hoima district that will be pivotal in receiving crude oil from feeder pipelines linked to Uganda’s major oil development areas of Kingfisher project in Kikuube district and the Tilenga Development Area in Buliisa and Nwoya districts is nearing completion.

Hadi Watfa the Manager of above Ground Installation for the EACOP Project said the major concrete works will be completed by Christmas 2024; the remaining part in February through April 2025 to pave way for the installation of equipment to piping, cables and control systems to be connected to the control rooms.

“From today, I would say that in 16 to 17 months, construction should be at 100% done. Before these months, three months we shall start pre commissioning that is ensuring each subsystems like piping, electrical and telecom installations are working properly. Afterward, we will do commissioning to ensure all subsystems operate in unison without interface issues”

As the EACOP project progresses, its long-term success depends on addressing environmental and social challenges effectively.

Vincent Birungi an environmental specialist on environment and biodiversity on the project stresses that they have implemented Environmental and Social Impact Management Plans to address ecological and community concerns.

‘‘We follow the mitigation hierarchy that’s seeks to avoid, where we cannot avoid we minimize and where we cannot minimize we try to reduce or offset. But as of now Offsetting normally happens when we cross a critical habitat like a National Park and wetlands. Since we cannot offset a wetland we shall try to minimize’’

The land acquisition process has been a critical focus area. In Uganda, over 90% of project-affected persons have reportedly received compensation.

According to Stella Amony Communications Lead EACOP these issues have been addressed.

‘‘EACOP cannot start any work on ground until the PAP fully paid, has to sign their compensation agreement, fully paid and they have been given a three months’
notice to vacate which has to expire before they can vacate the land. They are always give time to take their crops from the gardens then they will vacate the land.’’

The pipeline, stretching 1,443 kilometers from Uganda to Tanzania, is the longest electrically heated pipeline in the world and is expected to transport up to 216,000 barrels of crude oil daily once operational. 
 

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