The Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU) has denied media reports regarding air pollution from the Tilenga oil project activities in Buliisa District.
Several media houses reported that “community members from five villages neighbouring the oil Central Processing Facility in Buliisa District have petitioned the Ministry of Health complaining about the air pollution generated by the ongoing construction works for the Tilenga project”.
In a statement, PAU said that the ongoing construction works in Buliisa District, at the Tilenga Project Industrial Area, which will host the Central Processing Facility, Construction Support Base, Construction Camps and Drilling Support Base commenced in May 2021 and constitute part of the early works for the enabling infrastructure to be put in place for the Tilenga project.
However, the statement notes that all Tilenga project activities, like other oil and gas activities in other parts of the Albertine Graben, are undertaken with due consideration to the environment and host communities.
This includes ensuring that all identified adverse impacts during project implementation
are mitigated.
“The current high dust levels are a result of very strong winds coupled with a prolonged dry spell within Buliisa District and the surrounding areas. This situation is not only affecting the Tilenga Project Industrial site area but a wider landscape within Buliisa District. To deal with this challenge, the frequency of water spraying has been increased to suppress the dust generated,” part of the statement said.
“In addition, site activities that generate high dust levels have been scaled down, and vehicle movements are being limited within and outside the operation areas. Therefore, the situation being witnessed is largely temporary and is worsened by natural factors. The above measures are being continuously implemented to reduce the dust emissions, and it also is expected that the situation shall normalise once the dry spell
and strong winds ease,” it adds.
PAU also emphasized its committement to working with relevant stakeholders to safeguard the health of
the communities and to ensure environmental and social protection during oil and gas
activities.