Compensation policy of Total E&P Uganda

Is the community aware of this policy? Follow me on this quest to hear from the locals in Purongo on this policy;

To be able to perform its exploration activities, Total E&P Uganda leases land from owners and is required to compensate them for damaged items (structure, crops, trees or plants). The compensation process is based on rates set by the district land board, validated the CGV.

Total does not acquire land. The land acquisition process is managed through the government and the District Land Board(s), in cooperation with the relevant national authority. Land is currently leased or rented with guidance from the Government and in accordance to Uganda land laws. Rental dues paid to land owners are based on the going market values of land in specific areas.

Compensation rates are set by the Government of Uganda through the District Land Boards. This is overseen by the Chief Government Valuer’s office at National level. The District determines rates annually to set the correct value of compensation owed to claimants. There is a full range of rates applicable depending on the crop, how mature it is and its size (acres, meter square and per plant). In addition to these rates, the CGV applies a 30% disturbance allowance.

These rates are issued publicly by the District Land Board. There are clear guidelines which are followed before the compensation is done, viz:
Total E&P tries to ensure that the compensation process is done within reasonable time and smoothly.

Oil Waste Management by Total E&P Uganda (Nwoya/Buliisa)

Waste management is regulated by the Government of Uganda through the National Environment and Management Authority (NEMA) which sets waste management standards.

Therefore in line with that Management of oil waste, i.e. storage and/or transportation conditions and final treatment and/or disposal of waste, varies according to the types of waste that are generated. After segregation on site (camps, drilling rigs, etc.), waste (except drilling waste) are transported by a licensed contractor and delivered to other licensed contractors, some of them for recycling (glass, plastic, batteries, drums…), other for treatment (sewage sludge…) or incineration (medical waste…).

In a press release yesterday, Total E&P Uganda says that it is in their policy to check the licensing status of the contractors used, to check the license to make sure that it is valid and appropriate for the types of wastes to be managed. These contractors are also periodically audited.

According to a  report released by Government Chemists in government Laboratory located in Wandegeya, Kampala  in August 2013 about the suspected harmful Oil wastes in Purongo and the report indicated that the oil wastes were not hazardous to human life. Richard Todwong, Minister without portfolio confirmed that the results.