Tension as oil company dumps waste in Nwoya

The land is being used by Total sub-contractor Civicon to excavate murrum for building oil sites near the Nile River along the Nwoya –Pakwach highway.

There is fear among residents of Got-Apwoyo Village in Nwoya District, following claims that an oil firm conducting exploration in the area is depositing waste on people’s land.

According to residents, the stuff has also been dumped a few metres away from the main water point that communities use.
Local councillors said they were considering passing a motion to block the project.

The land is being used by Total sub-contractor Civicon to excavate murrum for building oil sites near the Nile River along the Nwoya –Pakwach highway.

Mr Alfred Ocen, a resident, said some of the villagers had been stopped from accessing the disputed land.
Officials from the National Environmental Management Authority, Nwoya local government and Civicon yesterday visited the area to assess the situation. The team noted that something must be done to improve the situation.

Damage
Mr Freddy Okecha, the Purongo Sub-county councillor, said the waste has been deposited on people’s land since December 2012.
“People are risking their lives by taking in polluted air, using contaminated soil and grass that could cause damage to people’s health,” Mr Okecha said. “We will find a constitutional means to stop this exercise as a district.”

A senior official with Total in Nwoya said they held a meeting with district leaders over the waste but could not divulge the details. He instead referred this reporter to the head of social affairs and environment of the company, Ms Olivia Michele, who did not pick-up our repeated calls.

Amida Investment Ltd, a ranching company that is also using part of the land, last year won a temporary court injunction over the property.

Mr Patrick Okello Oryema, the Nwoya chairperson, said they had only a week to have the oil company remove the deposits or they take other steps.
Oil waste releases carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, and other harmful gases and waste materials that can damage ecology and also affect humans and animals.

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