Former Benin Prime Minister Lionel Zinsou has been assigned to evaluate TotalEnergies Exploration and Production’s land compensation processes in Uganda and Tanzania. This assessment is for the land acquisition for the Tilenga oil and gas projects in the districts of Buliisa and Hoima, as well as the East African Crude Oil Pipeline from Hoima to Tanga in Tanzania.
TotalEnergies CEO Patrick Pouyanné referred to Zinsou as a known specialist in African economic development and emphasized his participation in assessing the land purchase program and accompanying socioeconomic development activities in both nations.
Land acquisition has been a sensitive subject, with environmental and human rights campaigners opposing the growth of the oil and gas business in Uganda. There have been legal disputes and petitions filed alleging infringement of environmental and human rights, particularly in the context of the Tilenga and EACOP projects.
Residents along the pipeline route have expressed worries about land seizure without adequate compensation, which TotalEnergies and the government both deny. Zinsou’s mission will evaluate land acquisition methods, consultation circumstances, compensation, relocation, and grievance management mechanisms.
The study, which is projected to be completed by April 2024, will be distributed to project partners such as Cnooc Uganda, Uganda National Oil Company, and Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation. The Tilenga and EACOP initiatives entailed the acquisition of 6,400 hectares, affecting 19,140 families and communities and necessitating the evacuation of 775 principal dwellings.
TotalEnergies reports considerable success, with 98 percent of families signing compensation agreements and 97 percent getting pay. 98 percent of relocating households have taken possession of their new residences.
