Row over Turkana oil rights

The Ngamia 1 site in Turkana where British firm Tullow struck oil. Photo|FILE  NATION MEDIA GROUP

By BARNABAS BII   bbii@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted  Tuesday, April 23   2013 at  16:50

A row has erupted between the Turkana community and Energy ministry over oil exploration rights and sharing of revenue.

The community through the Turkana Civil Society Platform wants Tullow oil to report on the sharing of revenue from the precious commodity.

They claim that the oil exploration at the Amosing site will result in destruction of several grazing fields and displacement of families.

“The society flouted protocol in prospecting of gasoline in the new site by not involving the community members and providing detailed environmental assessment impact report and how they will benefit from the resource,” said Eliud Emeri, the society Chairman.

However, Tullow has disputed the claims arguing that the local community and leaders are involved in the entire oil exploration exercise.

“Environmental Impact Assessment was carried out and forwarded to relevant departments for approval before moving to the new exploration site,” said Ann Kibuge, Tullow oil corporate affairs officer.

She dismissed some of the conditions set by the community such as provision of security saying it was beyond their control.

“We engaged the community and leaders across the board before acquiring licence but it is difficult for the company to provide security services,” added Ms Kibuge.

The National Environment Management Authority (Nema) in Turkana County confirmed having received environmental report from Tullow but said it lacked details.

The Amosing site is about five kilometers from Ngamia 1 at Nakukulas area in Turkana South where the company discovered oil two years ago.

Some Community Based Organisations (CBOs) and local leaders want a sizable percentage of the oil revenue channelled to projects that are beneficial to the community.

They also want members of the local community to be given preference in relevant job opportunities.

Tullow discovered oil at the Ngamia 1 exploration on Lokichar and Nakukulas basin on the border of Turkana South and Turkana East district.

The exploration company is to drill another well at Ngamia 2 to explore potential of more oil deposits in the area.

Turkana County where the discovery was made is one of seven basins mapped in Tullow’s acreage and is similar in size to the 9,000 square Kilometre Lake Albert Rift basin in Uganda.

Hopes of Kenya striking oil deposits have been on the rise as more oil exploration firms join the exercise.

Australia’s Woodside Energy is among several international companies that have been keen in search for oil and gas in the country.

Others listed on the New York and London Stock exchanges such are Premier Oil and Apache Oil. French multinational Total has acquired a 40 per cent stake in five blocks within the Lamu Basin from Anadarko Kenya Company Cove Energy with the intention of accelerating exploration
.