KAMPALA — National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has issued a certificate to CNOOC Uganda Limited for the Environment and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for the Kingfisher Development project.
Dr. Tom Okurut, the NEMA Executive Director said his administration is pleased to issue this certificate in line with the principle of sustainable
development.
“NEMA shall continue to maintain an efficient mechanism for sustainable environment and natural resource management,” said Dr. Okurut.
On his part, said Mr. Zhao Shunqiang, the President, CNOOC Uganda Limited said this is a great milestone for CNOOC Uganda Limited and the development of oil and gas project in Uganda.
He added that it is a step closer to FID and realization of first oil.
Genises of Kingfisher development area.
The Kingfisher Field Development Area is located in Buhuka Parish, Kikuube District – a flat plain bounded by the Albertine rift escarpment to the east and Lake Albert to the west. The Field development Area is approximately 15.2km long, 3km wide and covers an area of 32.3 km2.
NEMA okayed the project after several public hearings about ESIA report for the proposed oil development projects were held in different parts of the Albertine region.
The ESIA studies were carried out to establish the potential positive and negative social and environmental impacts of the proposed projects.
The oil companies are required under the law to undertake ESIA studies and submit to the NEMA reports capturing the findings for approval before the execution of the projects.
CNOOC Uganda Limited, the operator of the Kingfisher project on 16th September 2013, received a production license from the government and embarked on ESIA process for the on-site construction of the Kingfisher Oil Field facilities.
Key among others, the Central Processing Facility, Camps, Yards and Parking areas, Feeder Pipeline.
The assessment according to officials focused on Social, Health, Safety and Environmental aspects like air quality, noise and vibration, hydrology, surface water, waste, biodiversity among others.
Data was collected and impact assessment of activities undertaken.
In observance of the National Environment Act cap 153 and in fulfillment of the National Environment (EIA) regulations, on 21st December, 2018, CNOOC Uganda Limited submitted the Kingfisher Field Development Area ESIA to NEMA for review,
recommendations and approval.
NEMA publicly invited all the relevant key stakeholders using various media like print, online and broadcast to give their comments and eventually held public hearings and consultations on the 19th and 21st June 2019, in Kikuube and Hoima districts respectively.
This provided an opportunity for the host community and the general public to give
comments and recommendations on pertinent issues that they felt should be considered during project development.
In accordance with the provisions of Part X of the National Environment Act No.5 of 2019, NEMA subjected the KFDA ESIA to a review process that also revealed concerns that required CNOOC to address before a final approval decision could be made.
It is from this background that CNOOC Uganda Limited made revisions in line with the detailed review findings that were issued by NEMA for making necessary improvements on the ESIA.
After considering all the required revisions, CNOOC Uganda Limited
resubmitted the KFDA ESIS on 18th November, 2019 for the final approval decision to be made.
And subsequently all issues were addressed by CNOOC Uganda Limited to NEMA’s satisfaction hence culminating into the award of the ESIA certificate.
