Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Presentation to journalist at the Africa Center for Media Excellence (ACME) 22nd August, 2012 By Dr Tom .O. Okurut Executive Director, NEMA
The AG (Arua-Kanungu) is the most important eco region in Africa as it hosts the continent's most endemic vertebrate species i.e.;
14% of all African reptiles 19% of all African amphibians 35% of African butterflies 52% of all African birds 39% of all African mammals 70% of all Ugandan Protected areas are in the
Graben
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EA5 RHINO CAMP BASIN Size 6,040sq.km Licensed to Neptune Petroleum (U) Ltd ( Now Tower Resources) on 27th Sept 2005
3N
EA1 PAKWACH BASIN Size 4,285 sq.km Licensed to Heritage Oil and Gas Ltd and Energy Africa (now Tullow Oil) 0n 1st July 2004
EA2 LAKE ALBERT BASIN Size 4,675 sq.km Licensed to Hardman Resources Ltd and Enegy Africa Ltd (now Tullow Oil) on 8th October 2001.
EA3A SEMLIKI BASIN Size 1,991sq.km First licensed to Heritage Oil and Gas Ltd as part of EA3 on 15th January 1997 Re-licensed to Heritage Oil and Gas Ltd and Energy Africa (now Tullow Oil) on 8th Sept 2004.
1N
EA3B SEMLIKI BASIN Size 1,786 sq.km Includes Turaco Prospect Area Not licensed
Queen Elizabeth NP
EA4B LAKES EDWARD-GEORGE BASIN Size 2,021sq.km Licensed to Dominion Petroleum Ltd on 27th July 2007
INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS OF OIL & GAS
The Framework
resource is under a programme called: Strengthening the management of oil & gas in Uganda.
Resource management (PEPD),
Revenue Management (MFPED, BOU & URA) Environment Management (NEMA)
The objective of the Environment Management pillar is: To contribute towards ensuring that oil/gas activities are undertaken in a sustainable manner by strengthening the capacity of the other stakeholders and overseeing the activities of other players in the petroleum industry in accordance with Ugandas environmental policies.
NEMA remains the coordinator of the Pillar by virtue of
its legal mandate as the principal agency for environmental management in Uganda
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Uganda Wildlife Authority Directorate of Water Resources Management National Forestry Authority Directorate of Environmental Affairs Directorate of Physical Planning and Land use
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The information in the sensitivity atlas is the first baseline study undertaken for the Graben & forms the basis for monitoring.
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categorized in terms of endemism and threatened species, or on species richness, among other categories The sensitivity atlas identified the following sensitivities: Sensitivity of Mammals to vibrations from seismic survey, movement of heavy equipment & the drilling activity Sensitivity of fisheries resources to high frequency noise from petroleum development activities; oil spills, & pollution from hydrocarbon compounds and chemicals from mud cuttings.
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of sites thereby causing disturbance of vegetation; oil spills and pollution. Sensitivity of wetlands due to exposure to potential threats of excessive water abstraction, degradation of water catchments and wetland conversions. Sensitivity of water resources (surface & groundwater) effects on quantity and quality e.g. the
biodiversity sensitivity, based on animal & plant species richness & conservation status. The delta region, Mount Rwenzori and Bwindi are the most sensitive areas; followed by Murchison falls, Queen Elizabeth and the Kibale national Parks.
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Improve performance of lead agencies. Improve compliance levels. Enhance institutional collaboration. Encourage stakeholder participation in compliance monitoring. Enhance national capacity to assess, predict and mitigate likely effects of Oil and Gas activities on environment.
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The Monitoring Plan is structured along 5 thematic areas: a) Aquatic ecological issues b) Terrestrial ecological issues c) Physical/chemical issues d) Society issues e) Management and business issues For each of these themes, specific institutions are charged with the responsibility of undertaking the monitoring & reporting
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each of the themes & data filling initiated for the baseline. Monitoring indicators for each theme have been developed, prioritized & tested. Monitoring manuals have been developed & are ready for use. Capacity needs assessment study was done for each of the institutions & both technical & resource (equipment & finances) needs were identified. A capacity development plan is being put in place
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National Environment Act Cap 153, all ongoing oil & gas exploration activities have been subjected to Environmental Impact Assessment and approval granted by NEMA; Multi-sectoral monitoring team (executive, technical & field-based) was put in place to carry out quarterly monitoring & has representation from:
NEMA, UWA,PEPD, NFA,
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NEMA opened a temporal field Office in the Albertine Graben in January 2010 with one staff; recruited 2 temporary staff to specifically handle oil & gas activities, to be based in the field; has proposed to establish a regional office in Hoima to effectively manage oil and gas issues to cover the entire Graben
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carried out for the Albertine Graben, to be completed by December 2012 Objective of SEA is to ensure that environmental issues are broadly considered & integrated into major decisions connected to policy, plans & programs associated with the oil & gas sector at the earliest stage. A framework for compliance monitoring & enforcement has been developed & is due for piloting An oil spill contingency plan is being developed, to be ready by December 2012
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LEGAL PREPAREDNESS
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issued to guide on most appropriate waste disposal methods - June 2012. The Guidelines are framed on the need to: Consider environmental and economic costs & benefits Minimize waste spillage. Respond to waste characteristics determined to date. Meet the current world practices for managing exploration & production of oil waste Monitor any impact to ground water at any of the consolidation sites Apply current National Environment (Waste Management) Regulations
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to be completed by March 2013: National Environment (EIA) Regulations, Statutory Instrument No. 153-1 National Environment (Waste Management) Regulations, Statutory Instrument No. 153-2 National Environment (Standards for Discharge of Effluent into Water or on Land) Regulations, Statutory Instrument No. 153-3 National Environment (Audit) Regulations, Statutory Instrument No. 12 of 2006 National Environment (Noise Standard and Control) Regulations, Statutory Instrument No. 30 of 2003, to incorporate vibration pollution National Air Quality standards (NAQS) draft Oil Spills Regulations and Guidelines National Environmental Act Cap. 153 24
NEMA made comments to strengthen environmental issues in the draft Petroleum (Exploration, Development & Production) Bill, 2012
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STATE OF INSTITUTIONAL PREPAREDNESS BY THE KEY LEAD AGENCIES (PEPD, UWA, DFR, DWRM,NFA and MLHUD)
A draft General Management Plan for Queen Elizabeth National Park has been prepared incorporating oil & gas issues; A draft General Management Plan for Murchison Falls National Park is being prepared; A forest Management Plan for Maramagambo Central Forest Reserve has been finalized; Fisheries frame surveys on Lake Albert & Albert Nile to establish fisheries baseline have been carried out Physical Planning in areas facing intense pressure from oil and gas has been initiated
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oil/gas management but it was not factored in the current budget; and hence, no budget for oil & gas activities listed above Funding to the partner institutions for oil & gas environment activities was also not factored in the budget Low technical capacity within NEMA and Lead Agencies; Inadequate integration of oil and gas issues into the current policies & legislation
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knowledgeable media is critical in forming a critical mass that is needed to influence policy, legislation and funding for the relevant sectors.
Media whenever possible should invest indeed in training
media to report accurately on the sector and to keep the public fully informed accurately.
The media should pick interest in reporting environment
and science generally. Every Ugandan lives off the environment in one way or the other (land, air, water etc). It is critical that the masses are educated through media on the matter.
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THE END
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