French energy giant TotalEnergies has appointed former Beninese Prime Minister Lionel Zinsou to independently assess land acquisition practices in Uganda and Tanzania related to its Tilenga oil and East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) projects. The move comes amid ongoing legal challenges and environmental concerns.
Zinsou’s independent consulting firm, SouthBridge, will examine the entire land acquisition process, spanning procedures, consultation protocols, compensation arrangements, resettlement measures, and grievance management systems. His evaluation will also assess initiatives undertaken by TotalEnergies and its subsidiaries to improve living conditions for affected communities. A comprehensive report detailing findings and recommendations is expected by April 2024.
This independent review follows mounting criticism from environmental groups like Friends of the Earth France, which have accused TotalEnergies of neglecting environmental and social safeguards during land acquisition for the Tilenga and EACOP projects. TotalEnergies maintains it has adhered to strict ethical and legal standards throughout the process.
The projects involve acquiring roughly 6,400 hectares (15,815 acres) of land affecting 19,140 households and communities across Uganda and Tanzania. This includes the relocation of 775 primary residences. As of today, TotalEnergies reports that 98% of affected households have signed compensation agreements, 97% have received their compensation, and 98% of families slated for relocation have already moved into new homes.
The Tilenga project, overseen by TotalEnergies (56.67% operator), CNOOC (28.33%), and UNOC (15%), aims to extract oil from Ugandan fields. The extracted oil will then be transported via the EACOP pipeline, constructed and operated by a consortium comprising TotalEnergies (62%), UNOC (15%), Tanzanian state-owned TPDC (15%), and CNOOC (8%).
The appointment of Zinsou, a respected economist and development expert with previous experience collaborating with TotalEnergies, represents an attempt by the company to address concerns regarding its land acquisition practices and demonstrate its commitment to transparency and responsible social and environmental behavior. However, the independent review’s findings and subsequent actions by TotalEnergies will determine the effectiveness of this initiative and its impact on the surrounding communities and environment.
