Uganda, Tanzania sign $3.5 billion deal for 'world’s longest' heated oil pipeline

Uganda and Tanzania leers have signed an agreement for construction of world’s longest heated oil pipeline, linking former’s oil fields in west to Indian Ocean port of Tanga. As per reports, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and his Tanzanian counterpart John Magufuli have signed “host and implementation agreement” in  town of Chato.

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New oil pipeline to be constructed

According to Ugandan authorities, construction of pipeline will begin in year 2021 and will cost around $3.5 billion. authorities have expressed optimism as Uganda aims to finance ambitious infrastructure projects in a bid to launch nation into middle-income status with oil money. However, no furr details regarding pipeline have been disclosed. 

Earlier last week, French oil giant Total which is a major investor in Uganda’s oil industry announced that it h me a deal with Ugandan authorities, getting approval for crude oil export pipeline which will cross sensitive protected areas, rivers, and farmland.

In a statement, Total's Uganda office said, “ conditions are set for ramp-up of project activities and in particular, we will resume land acquisition activities in Uganda while respecting highest human rights standards”. 

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According to reports, a total of 12,000 families can be displaced due to construction of this massive pipeline. Also, it can cause a serious threat to vital ecosystems. French rights group, FIDH is supporting various human rights defenders who are not in favour of this project.

Meanwhile, Total has also been criticised for digging oil wells in Uganda’s Murchison Falls National Park, which is also a great tourist spot. FIDH’s Sacha Feierabend has said that Total and its development partner in Uganda — China National Offshore Oil Corporation — must “take urgent measures to avoid what could be a disaster waiting to happen”.

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(Image Credits: Unsplash/AP)