By Dorina G. Makaya and Janeth Mesomapya

Minister of Energy, Hon. January Yusuf Makamba has noted that Regional Commissioners (RCs) in the eight (8) regions where the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) project will pass, play a key role in achieving the implementation of the project by strengthening safety and security as well as ensuring the available opportunities benefit the people of their respective regions.

Minister Makamba made the remarks today, September 27, 2021 in Tanga region, during seminar for the RCs and Regional Administrative Secretaries to review and create broader awareness to the officials about the project and its available opportunities.

"One of the benefits for this pipeline passing through our country is the safety and security that exists. The security will continue to exist if those in charge of the security in the areas where the pipeline passes have an understanding of the project and what needs to be done,” he explained.

He added that the seminar aims at providing information and create a broad understanding to the leaders about the project and discuss the available opportunities during the implementation of the project.

For his part, the Deputy Minister of Energy, Hon. Stephen Byabato has appealed to the RCs to ensure maximum utilization of the opportunities by people in their respective regions.

Hon. Byabato said the pipeline would pass through Kagera, Geita, Shinyanga, Tabora, Singida, Dodoma, Manyara and Tanga regions.

“The government in collaboration with EACOP Company has completed the compensation exercise for the priority areas of the project. To date, a total of TZS 2.2 billion has been paid to 351 citizens who will be affected in 14 priority areas of the project”, he added.

According to Hon. Byabato, the Host Government Agreement (HGA) between the Government and the Pipeline Company has identified some of the goods and services that will be provided only by Tanzanians (Reserved Contracts).

Such goods and services include transportation, security, food and beverage, accommodation services, fuel for vehicles and machinery, construction materials, and leasing of construction machinery.

He added that goods and other procurement services other than those reserved for Tanzanians only will be available through competition and competent Tanzanians, with criteria and qualifications will be able to participate.

The Managing Director of the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) Dr. James Mataragio explained that the government through the corporation owns 15% stake in the implementation of the project, with 62% held by Total Energies, 15% by UNOC Uganda and CNOOC holding 8%.

“TPDC's responsibilities in this project include being a shareholder in the project itself, handling land issues, managing all EACOP agreements, having a 15% representation in leadership and having a member on the EACOP Board of Directors as well as coordinating participation of various stakeholders who will successfully implement this project”, he added.