Complaints over delayed and poor compensation are some of the issues being raised by persons affected by the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) on the side of Tanzania like in Uganda.

This is according to Mr Baraka Machumu, the Executive Director for Green Conservers – a Civil Society Organisation (CSO) based in Dar-es-Salam, Tanzania.

He said this during an interface with Journalists  in Hoima city along with his host, Mr Maxwell Atuhuura, the Chief Executive Officer for Tasha Research Institute Africa (TASHA).

Mr Machumu challenged the government of Tanzania and its contractor oil companies including Total Energies to expedite the compensation process especially in Tanga region that is lagging behind if they are to control the negative effects of the project.

On compensation packages’ value, Mr Machumu said though many persons have been compensated, almost all of project affected persons he spoke to expressed dissatisfaction and fear that they might not restore their livelihoods given the rising commodity prices.

Meanwhile, Mr Maxwell Atuhuura, the Chief Executive Officer for TASHA, said that delayed compensation in Uganda compelled many to accept low compensation packages – an aspect that must be fought in Tanzania.

Mr Richard Oyirwoth, a local human rights defender living in the Tilenga oil project host community, said the outstanding challenge is flash floods from the Central Processing Facility (CPF) in Buliisa district that they want addressed with urgency.

According to him, the problem has persisted and compensation for the affected persons not seen since last year despite promises from the government and Total Energies and its partner developers to have it conclusively addressed.

Mr Richard Oyirwoth, a local human rights defender living in the Tilenga oil project host community, said the outstanding challenge is flash floods from the Central Processing Facility (CPF) in Buliisa district that they want addressed with urgency.