Train Ugandans in oil production, says Speaker Kadaga

Kampala. The Speaker of Parliament, Ms Rebecca Kadaga, has urged the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) to train people in oil production to help the country build capacity as it prepares to produce its own oil.
“Sometime back a company was doing a contract in our place but people were complaining they were not being given jobs. When I asked the contractors, they said the people didn’t have the capacity to do jobs such as fork lift drivers and drillers. We need to find an avenue for Ugandans to train here so that Ugandans are ready when the time comes,” she said.
Ms Kadaga made remarks while opening a meeting with Members of Parliament and Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) in Kigo, Lake Victoria Serena Resort, at the weekend.
The Speaker advised UNOC to be careful in negotiating agreements in the oil production chain to ensure the country benefits.

Investments
The minister for Energy and Mineral Development, Ms Irene Muloni, said the oil sector has transitioned to development sector which will enable government reach its investment decision with Total and Tullow Oil Company mid this year.
She said whatever will be produced from oil and the benefits will return to the country.
Mr Robert Kasande, the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development said there are 21 oil and gas discoveries with 14 fields under development and first oil production is expected in 2021 as long as the needed land is acquired.
“Although there are 6 billion barrels of oil in place, only 1.4 billion barrels will be recoverable and 40 per cent of Albertine Graben that has been explored only 15 per cent is licensed,” he added.
He said the final investment decision for the refinery will be made this year.
“We will need about 14,000 direct jobs and 42,000 indirect jobs,” he said. Mr Kasande said the deadline for production of first oil had to be changed following discovery of more oil.