TotalEnergies made a statement on Thursday that stated that they had launched an assessment for EACOP Land Acquisition for $10 billion controversial projects in both Tanzania and Uganda that had faced criticism from various environmentalists. The purpose of the land acquisition assessment mission is to carry out the evaluation of land acquisition procedures, the conditions required for consultation, how the compensation and relocation of the affected population will be conducted, and the implementation of the grievances handling mechanism.
Currently, TotalEnergies is pushing forward its drilling project in Tilenga Uganda and the 1,443 kilometers East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) to the Tanzanian coast that is facing opposition from the activists and various environmentalists who are against the establishment of the project.
The main target of Tilenga is the oil that is found at the Murchison Falls nature reserve which will foresee the establishment of a total of 419 wells. Total Energies in partnership with CNOOC which is a Chinese oil company, stated that they there would be relocation of a total of 775 primary residences that shall cause effect to 18,800 stakeholders, owners of lands, and the users of the land that will be converted to EACOP Land.
Also read: East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) Above Ground Installations Commence
EACOP Land Acquisition Project Leader
According to an announcement that was made on Thursday, TotalEnergies appointed the former Prime Minister of Benin, Lionel Zinsou to be the leader of this land acquisition assessment being an expert in African economic development. In the previous years, Zinsou had also worked with TotalEnergies through his own consulting company.
According to the Human Rights Watch, the body called for a halt in July for the plans of the pipeline saying that it would cause devastation to thousands of livelihoods in Uganda. In addition, the body stated that more than 100,000 people would get displaced by the oilfield. Around four environmentalist groups have filed complaints based on climate grounds against the French company.
