TANZANIA: TEC says, Tanzania Has Nothing to Worry About EACOP Project.
East-Africa-Crude-Oil-Pipeline. Credit; Courtesy photo
Sarah Pelaji
The Catholic Bishops in Tanzania have stated that Tanzania stands to gain opportunities from the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP).
They said that Tanzania Episcopal Conference TEC stands for this in response to various foreign based human rights organizations who are opposing the project out of their own interest.
Some environmental activists filed complaints that the construction of the pipeline will end in some people losing their homesteads without compensations as well as disturbing the natural environment of wild animals.
It happened recent at TEC Dar es Salaam when Catholic bishops met the EACOP project investors to seek more information before they take position.
At the meeting between bishops and project investors, the former were taken through the project overview and assured of the plans to care for the environment as well as rights of the people.
Giving an explanation about the project, the General Manager of EACOP, Tanzania Branch, Wendy Brown, mentioned some of the things prioritized in the implementation of EACOP as including the protection and respect of human rights, protecting the environment and technology that will reduce carbon emissions.
Wendy noted that they have already looked at all the effects of the projects to ensure people’s well-being in guaranteed.
“There are Plans to restore the natural vegetations that will have been destroyed by the constructions,” she said.
She also explained that those who are displaced from their homes are paid compensation which is an agreement between them and the project.
So no one is affected or their rights are violated and the project uses modern technology that will reduce carbon emissions for the community.
Ms. Brown said EACOP is committed to complying with national laws and international standards, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) Standards of Practice, the Equatorial Principles, the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, the voluntary principles on security and human rights.
According to the Chairman of the Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Commission of who is also the Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Dar es Salaam, Most Rev. Jude Thaddaeus Ruwai’chi OFM Cap has said that, due to the information received from experts, the project offers various economic and commercial opportunities in the initial stages of the project, during construction and during project operation.
“EACOP will not be the first oil pipeline project to be implemented in the country. See the existing one has been there for the last 50 years and we have never seen any serious consequences or heard of any crisis.
Since Tanzania started using the Tanzania-Zambia Crude Oil Pipeline (TAZAMA Pipeline) from 1970s no harm or conflicts have ever occurred, adding that he believes that the EACOP project will be implemented in the same way,” he explained.
He said, with that experience he is satisfied with the process, attention and consideration of human rights and environmental conservation in the implementation of the project.
He also urged investors to consider the well-being of the communities and strictly walk the talk in taking care of environment.
Those who oppose the EACOP have no good intentions, they are motivated by personal interests and not by the truth and reality.
Therefore, let’s raise our voices and speak positively about this project because we believe the government is taking into account all the environmental procedures,” said Archbishop Ruwa’ichi.
For his part, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Geita Rt. Rev. Flavian Kassala has asked Tanzanians to take the project as an opportunity to improve their livelihood than waiting for compensations.
Bishop Kassala said the pipeline is a long-term investment and therefore, citizens should be major participants in the implementation of the project.
“Basically, the assessment for compensation should be done fairly to the citizens and they should make sure they provide them with the best environment to benefit from the project economically,” said Bishop Kassala who is also a Vice president of TEC.
The Secretary General of TEC Rev. Charles Kitima, said that in the project, the guarantee of environmental issues and rights of all parties, social welfare and scientific precautions have been taken into account.
“We have satisfied ourselves and the bishops are supportive of the project in so far as it take precautions to protect the environment and that is our position,” he said.
