OIL: Environment watchdog questions Tullow activities

Kampala

The national environmental governing body has faulted petroleum explorer, Tullow Oil, on a number of issues that have left the surrounding at risk of destruction, Saturday Monitor has learnt.

Among the issues raised is that Tullow’s environment experts were unqualified.

In a letter addressed to the Tullow Oil general manager, National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) Executive Director Henry Aryamanya-Mugisha says issues like waste management, well testing, environmental experts and work plans needed urgent attention.

Not happy
“I wish to reiterate that I am not happy with the environmental performance of your activities and require that you take immediate action to solve the observed weakness,” Dr Aryamanya said in the letter.
The letter, written after a field visit to the Tullow Oil wells by officials from NEMA, Petroleum Exploration Department and State House recently, highlights the need for an action plan as to how the waste will be managed.

Although the law requires Tullow Oil to regularly submit results of monitoring that include sampling and testing of the wastes generated, NEMA is yet to receive such reports.

“I am therefore asking you to submit a time bound action plan on waste management before the end of April for our review and approval,” the letter dated March 22, a copy of which Saturday Monitor has seen, reads.
He also noted that Tullow’s environmental experts are actually not qualified to handle challenges in the same field.

“The experts do not seem to have knowledge and understanding on environmental issues related to management of wastes… I noted with concern that the experts are either resident in Kampala or abroad,” Mr Aryamanya-Mugisha further wrote.

Denies allegations
When contacted, the Corporate Affairs Manager, Mr Jimmy Kiberu, denied NEMA’s allegations, saying: “However, while we don’t agree with all their feedback, NEMA have recently stated that they are not satisfied with parts of our work and we have, since receipt of this letter in March, been working hard to rectify the criticisms made of us.”

Mr Kiberu said they are currently drawing-up plans for waste disposal as part of the wider basin development plans and that they would make those plans clear when they have agreed them with the relevant authorities.
“Our experts both internal to Tullow and external, are highly qualified in this area. They ensure that robust solutions to waste management are delivered responsibly.”

Although according to the letter, also copied to the ministries of Energy, Water and Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), Tullow agreed that the transportation of crude oil will involve likelihoods of spillages, there is no contingency plan on the ground.

But Mr Kiberu said: “All activities are undertaken in line with requirements of Ugandan regulations. We do not currently transport crude oil in Uganda. Our spillage strategy will be agreed with the relevant authorities, including NEMA, before production (and transportation) begins.”

Tullow Oil is currently exploring oil in the Albertine region which is the principal prospective area for petroleum in Uganda.

It forms the northern most part of the western arm of the East African Rift Valley and stretches from the border with Sudan in the north to Lake Edward in the south, a distance of over 500km.

Danger to waters
Once the oil spill over is not dealt with well, such features as Lakes Albert, Edward and George could be affected as well as game park in Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth, Semlike, Kibaale and Mount Rwenzori national parks.